Orthopedic Case Report

Urgent Message: Rib fractures most commonly occur after blunt chest injury. Consider serious associated injuries such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, and pulmonary contusion when assessing patients with suspected rib fractures. Ensuring appropriate analgesia is critical for reducing the risk of complications. Dustin M. Nelson, BS; Shering Torres, MAS, MD; Michael Weinstock, MD Citation: Nelson DM, Torres S, Weinstock M. Urgent Care Considerations for the Patient with Suspected Rib Fracture. J Urgent Care Med. 2025; 19(4): 13-21 Questions for the Clinician at the Bedside When should rib fractures be suspected? Which patients …
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Urgent Message: Fractures of the midshaft ulna, commonly referred to as “nightstick fractures,” typically occur after direct injury to a forearm outstretched above the head as a protective mechanism. Evaluation includes inquiry into the circumstances of the assault, assessment for any other areas of trauma, examination of the skin, wrist and elbow joints, and radiography of the forearm. Management of closed, nondisplaced midshaft ulnar fractures centers around splint immobilization and arrangement of appropriate follow-up. Chandrika Janumpalli, BS; William Bradley Strauch, MD  Citation: Janumpalli C, Strauch WB. Urgent Care Diagnosis and …
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Urgent Message: Proximal humerus fractures most commonly occur in older patients after a fall and can be sentinel events that offer an opportunity to identify undiagnosed medical conditions or unsafe home environments. Lauren Schuermann, MS4; Shivani Kothari, MS4; W. Bradley Strauch, MD Citation: Schuermann L, Kothari S, Strauch B. Urgent Care Recognition and Management of Proximal Humerus Fractures. J Urgent Care Med. 2024; 19(2): 13-19 Questions for the Clinician at the Bedside What are the common mechanisms for proximal humerus fractures? What complications may be encountered in patients with proximal …
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Urgent Message: Fractures of the distal radius, commonly referred to as Colles fractures, most often occur after a fall onto an outstretched hand. Their immediate urgent care management may require only splinting or a same day emergency department visit depending on certain factors. Citation: Bunstine JL, Hartz C. Urgent Care Diagnosis and Management of Distal Radial (Colles) Fractures. J Urgent Care Med. 2024; 19(1):15-19 Editor’s Note: While the images presented here are authentic, the patient case scenarios are hypothetical. Questions for the Clinician at the Bedside: What is a Colles …
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Urgent Message: Clinicians should inquire about the mechanism of injury when a patient presents with ankle pain and consider x-ray that includes the ankle, tibia, and fibula to evaluate for the possibility of Maisonneuve fracture, especially when pain in the inferiolateral knee is also present. Willie O’Neal, MD; Bradley Strauch, MD Citation: O’Neal W, Strauch B. Urgent Care Recognition and Management of Maisonneuve Fractures. J Urgent Care Med. 2024; 18 (11): 21-28 Editor’s Note: While the images presented here are authentic, the patient case scenarios are hypothetical. Questions For the …
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