Orthopedic injuries are commonly seen in the emergency department, but are you catching all the subtle presentations that may alter a patient’s disposition?

Discover how to enhance your orthopedic exam skills and spot those tricky presentations in today’s “Master Clinician Series: The Rapid, High-Yield Ortho Exam in the ED,” led by Christopher Hogrefe, MD, FACEP, assistant clinical professor in the department of emergency medicine, department of medicine–sports medicine, and department of orthopaedic surgery–sports medicine at Northwestern Medicine in Evanston, Illinois.

Dr. Hogrefe will focus on the high-yield emergency department evaluation of commonly injured areas such as shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, ankles, and feet.

Additionally, he’ll discuss how a slightly different view of an injured area could completely change your perspective on the problem. For example, ankle X-ray gravity stress views can make a significant difference in making the correct diagnosis and implementing the optimal treatment, Dr. Hogrefe said. “There will be some valuable pearls on how to maximize various imaging,” he said.

Dr. Hogrefe also will focus on a rapid, high-yield exam so you can make the most of your orthopedic exam in a limited amount of time. Key related components are a thorough and consistent documentation of the exam and a refined ability to convey this information to orthopedic consultants. This will help create continuity in patient care and ensure that patients receive superb follow-up, whether that be in one week or one month, Dr. Hogrefe said.

By getting more comfortable with orthopedic exams, emergency physicians can feel more confident about their diagnoses and treatments, Dr. Hogrefe added.

Christopher Hogrefe, MD, FACEP

Master Clinician Series:

The Rapid, High-Yield Ortho Exam in the ED
Wednesday, Nov. 1
11–11:50 a.m.
WCC, Room 151A