When a patient presents to the emergency department with atraumatic monoarticular arthritis, it is important to rapidly determine the etiology because septic arthritis is a medical emergency that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality…
Read MoreThere may be a time when you don’t *gasp* have an x-ray machine. Osteophony is a 19th century technique by which practitioners would use the acoustic properties of intact versus disrupted bone to determine if there was a fracture or dislocation. Extra points if you can get orthopedics to come see the patient based solely on osteophony!
Read MoreA 52 year-old male presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of right shoulder pain. In fact, the patient endorsed several years of shoulder pain, which he attributed to being right hand dominant, and the physical demands of his work as a contractor. One month prior to his presentation, the patient had also seen an orthopedic surgeon, who diagnosed him with a paralabral cyst, and subsequently drained it. After the procedure, the patient’s pain improved, but the effect was short lived…
Read MoreA 41 year-old male without significant past medical history presents to the emergency department after sudden onset right leg pain while playing soccer. The patient reports jumping for the ball, landing on his feet, and immediately feeling sharp pain in his right ankle. On exam, he has mild swelling to the posterior ankle overlying the Achilles tendon, and the area is tender to palpation. Plantarflexion is absent with calf squeeze, neurovascular exam is normal, and the remainder of patient’s exam is unremarkable…
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