title: Critical orthopedic skills and procedures.
abstract: Musculoskeletal injury and diseases are common presentations in the Emergency Department. Emergency physicians must be versed in the critical procedural skills necessary to diagnose joint infection, manage fractures and dislocations, and assess for compartment syndrome. Arthrocentesis, splinting, dislocation reduction, and the evaluation of limb compartment syndrome are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin, JJL 431, Houston, TX 77030, USA. stuartboss@gmail.com
authors.forename: Stuart E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Boss
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maddow
authors.forename: Samuel D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Luber
mesh_terms: D000075202:Contraindications; D004630:Emergencies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000628:therapy; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019152:Paracentesis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods