Essential facets of radiological diagnosis of extremity trauma

Trauma to the extremities is sometimes dismissed as relatively unimportant in certain radiologic circles. In many instances, radiologic responsibility is denied and relegated to the orthopedist. Although the radiologic manifestations of much trauma to the extremities is clear cut and does not require sophisticated techniques or interpretation, there are many diagnoses which require innovative techniques and a knowledge of mechanisms of injury as well as the subtle oseous and soft tissue manifestations which may be confronted radiologically. The above factors will be stressed along with the need for the fundamental knowledge of radiologic anatomy which is required in order to appreciate some of the more subtle changes of extremity trauma.