Extremity Trauma
Look for deformity or bruising, feel for pain and listen for bruits over
haematomas.
Do a neurovascular exam.
X-ray suspicious areas, including the joint either side. A common missed injury
is the fracture distal to a fracture in the same limb.
Wounds should be accurately described, so subsequent examinations are not
required. Repeated examination of wounds that are under sterile dressings is
counterproductive.
After splinting or traction the neurovascular state of the limb is reassessed.