Review 1 Four hand injuries not to miss: avoiding pitfalls in the emergency department Philip Yoonga, Catherine A. Johnsona, Edward Yoongc and Adrian Chojnowskib The clinical and radiological findings in some hand injuries European Journal of Emergency Medicine 2011, 00:000–000 can be subtle and easily misinterpreted, leading to Keywords: emergency medicine, hand injuries, upper extremity, wounds irreversible changes and profound functional loss. The and injuries importance of early and accurate diagnosis is clear. This aNorwich Radiology Academy, bDepartment of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, Norfolk and cSchool of Medicine, study looks at four such injuries, with reference to pertinent University of Manchester, Manchester, UK anatomy, typical mechanisms of injury, examination and Correspondence to Dr Philip Yoong, MBBS, Norwich Radiology Academy, radiological findings, with emphasis on avoiding pitfalls Cotman Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UB, UK in the emergency department. European Journal of Tel: + 44 1603 286140; fax: + 44 1603 286077; e-mail:
[email protected] c Emergency Medicine 00:000–000 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Received 7September2010Accepted 17 November 2010 Introduction and accurate diagnosis is therefore essential. A sudden Upper limb injuries are commonly seen in the emergency forced abduction of the thumb is typical [11], most com- department [1]: fractures of the upper limb comprise monly in the context of trauma or contact sports. Skiers are approximately half of all fractures seen [2]. Much emphasis especially prone to this injury when falling while holding a is made on the distal radius, elbow and shoulder: fractures ski pole with the injured hand, hence the term ‘Skier’s here are frequently seen and usually well managed.