40 critical findings across all body regions requiring immediate action or urgent referral
Action Required:
X-ray. Reduce dislocation if trained. Immobilize and refer urgently.
Action Required:
Urgent MRI and orthopaedic referral for possible acute rotator cuff tear.
Action Required:
Exclude malignancy. X-ray, blood tests (ESR, CRP, FBC), consider MRI.
Action Required:
Exclude septic arthritis. Urgent aspiration, blood cultures, IV antibiotics.
Action Required:
Possible loose body. X-ray and orthopaedic referral.
Action Required:
Septic bursitis. Aspirate for culture. Antibiotics.
Action Required:
Ulnar neuropathy. Urgent nerve conduction studies and surgical referral.
Action Required:
Treat as scaphoid fracture until proven otherwise. Thumb spica, repeat X-ray or MRI.
Action Required:
Severe CTS. Urgent surgical referral for carpal tunnel release.
Action Required:
Kanavel signs = flexor tenosynovitis. URGENT hand surgery referral.
Action Required:
URGENT hand surgery referral within 24 hours. Splint in safe position.
Action Required:
Suspected RA. URGENT rheumatology referral within 3 weeks. RF, anti-CCP, ESR, CRP.
Action Required:
High infection risk. Antibiotics (co-amoxiclav), tetanus, X-ray. Hand surgery if deep.
Action Required:
Requires surgical repair. Urgent hand surgery referral.
Action Required:
Bennett fracture. Urgent orthopaedic/hand surgery referral.
Action Required:
Cervical myelopathy. URGENT MRI and spine surgery referral.
Action Required:
Urgent MRI. Consider cord compression, tumour, or infection.
Action Required:
Canadian C-spine rules. Immobilize. CT cervical spine.
Action Required:
Exclude meningitis. Urgent LP, blood cultures, IV antibiotics.
Action Required:
CAUDA EQUINA SYNDROME. EMERGENCY MRI and surgical decompression within 24h.
Action Required:
Urgent MRI. Possible cord/cauda equina compression.
Action Required:
Exclude spinal malignancy. MRI, blood tests (ESR, CRP, PSA, myeloma screen).
Action Required:
Exclude spinal infection (discitis, epidural abscess). Urgent MRI, blood cultures.
Action Required:
Vertebral compression fracture. X-ray, MRI if malignancy suspected.
Action Required:
Inflammatory back pain (axial SpA). ESR, CRP, HLA-B27, MRI SI joints. Rheumatology referral.
Action Required:
Hip fracture. X-ray. URGENT orthopaedic referral for surgical fixation.
Action Required:
Exclude septic arthritis. URGENT aspiration, blood tests, IV antibiotics.
Action Required:
Exclude Perthes, SCFE, septic arthritis. X-ray both hips (frog-leg lateral). Urgent if febrile.
Action Required:
Suspect AVN. MRI femoral head. Early orthopaedic referral.
Action Required:
Possible displaced meniscal tear or loose body. Urgent MRI and orthopaedic referral.
Action Required:
Haemarthrosis. Likely ACL tear, fracture, or patellar dislocation. X-ray, MRI.
Action Required:
Exclude septic arthritis. URGENT aspiration, blood tests, IV antibiotics.
Action Required:
Apply Ottawa Knee Rules. X-ray if indicated.
Action Required:
Achilles rupture. Equinus position, non-weight-bearing. URGENT orthopaedic referral.
Action Required:
X-ray ankle. Splint/immobilize. Orthopaedic referral for displaced fractures.
Action Required:
EMERGENCY. IV antibiotics, tetanus, urgent surgical referral.
Action Required:
Lisfranc injury. Weight-bearing X-ray, CT. URGENT foot surgery referral.
Action Required:
Diabetic foot emergency. Urgent assessment, antibiotics, vascular assessment.
Action Required:
Compartment syndrome. EMERGENCY fasciotomy.
Action Required:
Joint aspiration for crystals and culture. Treat empirically if uncertain.