Basildon EM Handbook 2018

The biggest challenge with ED orthopaedics lies in understanding which injury can be managed (and discharged) within the department; and which may require help from an orthopaedic surgeon. This chapter was written with that aim in mind.  Given the link between emergency orthopaedics and radiology interpretation; it may be prudent to remember the '10 Commandments' authored by the UK ‘Father of Emergency Medicine’ Robin Touquet:

1.Treat the patient, not the radiograph

2.Take a history and examine the patient before requesting a radiograph

3.Request a radiograph only when necessary

4.Never look at a radiograph without seeing the patient, and never see the patient without the looking at the radiograph

5.Look at every radiograph, the whole radiograph, and the radiograph as a whole

6.Re-examine the patient when there is an incongruity between the radiograph and the expected findings

7.Two views to every radiograph

8.Take radiographs before and after procedures

9.If a radiograph does not look quite right ask and listen: there is probably something wrong

10.Ensure you are protected by fail safe mechanisms

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