Emergency medicine clinics of North America
-
Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Feb 2020
ReviewThe Emergent Evaluation and Treatment of Neck and Back Pain.
Neck and back pain are among the most common symptom-related complaints for visits to the emergency department (ED). They contribute to high levels of lost work days, disability, and health care use. ⋯ This article discusses the efficient and effective evaluation, management, and treatment of patients with neck and back pain in the ED. Emphasis is placed on vertebral osteomyelitis, epidural abscess, acute transverse myelitis, epidural compression syndrome, spinal malignancy, and spinal stenosis.
-
Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Feb 2020
ReviewThe Emergency Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Extremity Fractures.
Approximately one-third of children sustain a fracture before the age of 16 years; however, their unique anatomy and healing properties often result in a good outcome. This article focuses on the diagnosis and management of pediatric extremity injuries. The article describes the anatomic features and healing principles unique to children and discusses pediatric upper and lower extremity fractures and presents evidence-based and standard practice for their management. Finally, the article describes the conditions under which emergency physicians are likely to miss pediatric fractures by highlighting specific examples and discussing the general factors that lead to these errors.
-
Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Feb 2020
ReviewThe Emergent Evaluation and Treatment of Hand and Wrist Injuries: An Update.
Injury patterns of the hand and wrist can be complex and challenging for the emergency physician to diagnose and treat. The ability of the hand to perform delicate maneuvers requires a very intricate interplay of bones, ligaments, and tendons. ⋯ These injuries can be debilitating if not treated correctly and can be both time-consuming and fraught with medicolegal risk. This article provides the necessary knowledge to diagnose and treat common hand and wrist injuries encountered in the emergency department.
-
Traumatic injuries of the hip and pelvis are commonly encountered in the emergency department. This article equips all emergency medicine practitioners with the knowledge to expertly diagnose, treat, and disposition these patients. Pelvic fractures occurring in young patients tend to be associated with high-energy mechanisms and polytrauma. Pelvic and hip fractures in the elderly are often a result of benign trauma but are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
-
Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · Feb 2020
ReviewRisk Management and Avoiding Legal Pitfalls in the Emergency Treatment of High-Risk Orthopedic Injuries.
Many orthopedic injuries can have hidden risks that result in increased liability for the emergency medicine practitioner. It is imperative that emergency medicine practitioners consider the diagnoses of compartment syndrome, high-pressure injury, spinal epidural abscess, and tendon lacerations in the right patient. Consideration of the diagnosis and prompt referrals can help to minimize the complications these patients often develop.