Emergency Medicine Cases Ep 175 Emergency Orthopedics Differential: SCARED OF Mnemonic – When X-rays Lie
7 snips
Oct 25, 2022 AI Snips
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Don't Let X‑Rays Replace History And Exam
- We over-rely on X-rays and treat MSK patients differently than other complaints by skipping full history and exam.
- Integrate history, physical, and imaging to catch subtle injuries that X-rays miss.
Use Soft‑Tissue Swelling And Film Quality To Guide Imaging
- If you see even slight soft‑tissue swelling on an X‑ray, raise your suspicion and consider advanced imaging.
- Always check film quality and reimage if views (eg Y‑view shoulder) are inadequate.
Flag Immunosuppression As A Big Red Flag
- In immunosuppressed patients with unexplained joint pain, elevate your pretest probability for septic arthritis.
- Ask about steroids, DMARDs, and prior infections early in the history.