Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?
Emergency medicine providers can suspect a diagnosis of proximal hamstring ruptures by recognizing injury mechanism, along with history and physical examination findings consistent with this diagnosis. Although the physical examination may be limited due to the patient's acute pain and lack of revealing large ecchymosis, a prone examination can reveal a gap at the tendon attachment site. Radiographs may reveal an avulsion fracture but are usually unremarkable. The use of POCUS can be utilized to obtain the diagnosis at time of presentation, and help facilitate a direct consultation with Orthopedics to obtain urgent outpatient MRI and follow-up. It is optimal to arrange timely definitive surgical treatment for the best clinical outcome.
J Emerg Med. 2018;54(2):225-228. © 2018 Elsevier Science, Inc.
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