Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Orthopaedics
Avoiding commonly missed orthopaedic problems
Abstract
Musculoskeletal injuries may result in chronic and disabling conditions if not diagnosed early and managed appropriately. Armed with an accurate history and a detailed examination, the family clinician can avoid the commonly missed diagnoses.
Key Points
- Suspect a talar dome lesion in a sprain that fails to improve as expected.
- Hand and wrist injuries are commonly overlooked because they are not totally disabling. The scaphoid is the most frequently fractured carpal bone.
- A delay in diagnosis of an ulnar collateral ligament injury leads to less satisfactory results than early surgical repair. Persistent painful thumb instability can result and compromise grip.
- Think of the hip in an adolescent presenting with knee pain. A missed slipped upper femoral epiphysis can have potentially disastrous consequences.
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