Common orthopaedic presentations

Trauma and orthopaedic surgery is a speciality that is rapidly evolving. Research and technological developments have resulted in advances both in the understanding and in the management of injuries and congenital and acquired disorders of the bones, joints and their associated soft tissues, including ligaments, nerves and muscles. Trauma and orthopaedic surgery is a large specialty with many possible sub-specialisations such as lower limb joint reconstruction; hip surgery; knee surgery (bony and soft tissue); ankle and foot, upper limb (shoulder and elbow), upper limb (hands), spine and bone tumour surgery; paediatric orthopaedics; rheumatoid surgery; sports and exercise surgery and complex trauma surgery. Diagnostic nuclear imaging is useful in all these sub-specialities. This chapter provides an overview of some of the common clinical presentations in trauma and orthopaedics, their aetiology and their management.