Check ABCs

 

 

 

If patient is unresponsive, activate EMS. If patient is responsive, begin evaluation by obtaining a history. For the history, begin by asking for patient's name and gender. Ask the patient what his or her mechanism of injury was and when the injury occured. Ask the patient's pain scale and to describe the pain. Ask the patient what makes it feel better and what makes it feel worse. Also note what the patient has done so far to try to reduce the pain.

 

 

 

After the history, move on to observation, looking for discoloration, deformity, swelling, bleeding, or scars. Always observe the uninjured limb first then the injured.

 

 

 

After Observation, continue to palpation. Begin away from the injured area and slowly move closer. Make sure to palpate superior, inferior, medial, and lateral to the injured area and always compare bilaterally. Note any point tenderness, swelling, crepitus, deformity, and temperature change.

 

 

 

From palpation, continue on to range of motion. Have patient complete active range of motion, passive range of motion, and resistive range of motion. Note any pain reported and any abnormal end feels. Compare bilaterally to note any discrepancies.

 

 

 

From range of motion, continue on to manual muscle testing and special tests.Be sure to compare bilaterally to note any discrepancies.