Minor Emergencies

Knee Sprain

Presentation After twisting the knee during a fall or sports injury, the patient complains of knee pain, possible swelling, and variable ability to bear weight. There may be a joint effusion or spasm of the quadriceps, forcing the patient to…

Gouty Arthritis, Acute

Presentation A patient rapidly develops an intensely painful monoarticular arthritis, often in the middle of the night, but sometimes a few hours following a minor trauma. The first attack of acute gouty arthritis usually occurs between the ages of 40…

Ganglion Cysts

Presentation The patient is concerned about a rubbery, rounded swelling most commonly emerging from the dorsal or volar aspect of the wrist or the flexor tendon sheath of the hand. It may have appeared abruptly, been present for years, or…

Fingertip (Tuft) Fractures

Presentation The patient seeks help after a crushing injury to the fingertip, such as closing it in a car door. The fingertip will be swollen and painful, with ecchymosis. There may or may not be a subungual hematoma, open nail…

Finger Sprain: (PIP Joint)

You’re Reading a Preview Become a Clinical Tree membership for Full access and enjoy Unlimited articles Become membership If you are a member. Log in here

Finger Dislocation (PIP Joint)

Presentation The patient will have jammed a finger, causing a hyperextension injury that forces the middle phalanx dorsally and proximally out of articulation with the distal end of the proximal phalanx. A swollen, painful deformity of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP)…

De Quervain Paratenonitis: (Thumb Tenosynovitis)

Presentation The patient experiences an insidious onset of difficulty with tasks such as opening jars because of pain localized to the dorsoradial aspect of the wrist that is exacerbated with thumb and wrist motion, and which may also be present…