This chapter provides an overview of musculoskeletal emergencies, including spinal injuries, crush injuries, compartment syndrome, fractures, infections, dislocations, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and soft-tissue injuries.
Key Points:
- Prompt recognition and treatment of musculoskeletal emergencies is crucial to prevent significant impairment and complications.
- Pain is the most common reason for patients to seek medical care, but it can mask other serious conditions.
- Common injury complexes can be identified when a reasonable history of events is obtained.
- Patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain pose a challenge in differentiating new symptoms from preexisting ones.
- A systematic approach to trauma is essential.
Spinal Injuries:
- Can
