Orthopaedic Red Flags

Question 1

What are some common patterns of injury in a fall-on-outstretched-hand?

Answer 1

• Scaphoid fracture
• Distal radius (Colles) fracture
• Proximal humerus fracture

Question 2

Shoulder pain post-seizure is what until proven otherwise?

Answer 2

• Posterior dislocation

Question 3

What are the clinical red flags for spinal cord compression? What are the most common causes?

Answer 3

• Back pain and neurological deficit
• Disc herniation and spondylosis (facet OA, ligament thickening)

Question 4

What are the clinical red flags for spinal infection?

Answer 4

• Back pain
• Back stiffness
• Raised CRP