Musculoskeletal and orthopaedic emergencies

A knowledge of bone and soft tissue injuries is required for an emergency medicine trainee. This chapter provides information on the classification and management of different types of fractures and dislocation which may commonly appear in the short-answer question (SAQ) paper. It also covers common rheumatological problems such as gout or infective arthritis and their associated diagnosis and management. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) curriculum includes both traumatic and atraumatic limb problems, which this chapter reflects. This chapter also covers the diagnosis and management of specific hand injuries and wound infections, which may appear as any aspect of the Intermediate FRCEM examination.