Orthopedic Manifestations of Abuse

Intimate partner violence and elder abuse are common in the United States but often remain undetected. The incidence of these forms of abuse is difficult to quantify, but those with a history of abuse are at risk of chronic health conditions. Physicians are in a unique position of triaging trauma patients and differentiating unintentional from abusive trauma in patients. Certain orthopedic injuries, in particular, may be related to abuse, which may trigger clinical suspicion and lead to further workup or intervention. By increasing awareness, through physician education and increased screening, earlier detection of abuse may prevent more serious injuries and consequences. Therefore, this review evaluates current literature regarding the orthopedic manifestations of abuse in hopes of increasing physician awareness.