UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Orthopedic fracture follow-up

Keywords: fracture care (PubMed Search)

Posted: 1/24/2016 by Brian Corwell, MD
Click here to contact Brian Corwell, MD

Recommended follow-up for common orthopedic injuries

Colles'/Chauffer

Initial follow up within a 5-7 days. If surgery needed, usually wait until swelling has decreased and surgery performed after 7 days.

Smith

Within 5-7 days. Regardless of reduction, often needs surgery due to high risk of collapse. Again surgery can wait into 2nd week.

Barton (volar and dorsal tilt)

Same as Smith for both

Scapholunate dissociation

Within 5-7 days for 1st visit. Needs to be operated on within 3-4 weeks otherwise window for "repair" is gone.

Lunate dislocation

Within 3-5 days to assess reduction and neurovascular status. Higher risk of Carpal tunnel syndrome.

Perilunate dislocation

Within 3-5 days to assess stability, reduction, and neuro status.

Galeazzi (or any DRUJ injury)

Within 3-5 days as will need surgery ASAP.

Scaphoid fx seen on film

Within 5-7 days for X-ray and casting.

Scaphoid fx suspected

Within 7 days for evaluation. Usually followed 2 weeks later for X-rays.

Triquetral fracture

Within 5-7 days.