Australian Family Physician, the flagship journal of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), features a range of clinical, viewpoint and research articles focusing on key issues in general practice today.
The theme for the April issue of AFP is injuries and includes the following feature articles:
Maxillofacial trauma
Anthony Lynham, Joel Tuckett, Patrick Warnke
Maxillofacial injuries – a common presentation to both general practice and hospital settings in Australia – can be easily overlooked. Weekend sporting events and social activities are common settings for facial injuries, especially in combination with alcohol. Patients often initially present to their general practitioner for assessment and advice.
Meniscal tear – presentation, diagnosis and management
Tim Shiraev, Suzanne E Anderson, Nigel Hope
Injury of the knee joint meniscus is one of the most prevalent injuries in the human body. Its investigation and treatment includes surgical techniques that are among the most commonly performed orthopaedic procedures worldwide. This article outlines the aetiology, presentation, diagnosis (both clinical and radiographic) and management of these important injuries.
Shoulder injuries – management in general practice
Shane Brun
Musculoskeletal conditions are the third most common reason for patients seeking a consultation with a general practitioner in Australia. Shoulder conditions are in the top three of this group. These conditions consume enormous healthcare and social resources. Musculoskeletal conditions are the most common cause of severe long term pain and physical disability and, with the exclusion of trauma, represent almost 25% of the total cost of illness in Western countries.
Cervical spine – assessment following trauma
Helen Ackland, Peter Cameron
While cervical spine injury is more common in patients with multiple injuries, isolated injury may occur following comparatively minor traumatic incidents.
Hands, fingers, thumbs – assessment and management of common hand injuries in general practice
Megan Eddy
Optimal hand function is essential for good quality of life. Unfortunately, hand injuries are very common and finger and hand injuries are the most common type of work related injury in Australia. Although severe hand injuries are generally managed in the hospital emergency department setting, many injuries of the hands and fingers are initially assessed in the general practice setting. The less severe of these injuries can be successfully managed in primary care.
Initial assessment of the injured shoulder
Shane Brun
Musculoskeletal conditions are the third most common reason for patients seeking a consultation with a general practitioner in Australia. Shoulder conditions are in the top three of this group. These conditions consume enormous healthcare and social resources. Musculoskeletal conditions are the most common cause of severe long term pain and physical disability and, with the exclusion of trauma, represent almost 25% of the total cost of illness in Western countries.
The Ottawa knee rules – a useful clinical decision tool
Kaihan Yao, Tasneem Haque
Acute knee injuries are very common and account for a significant number of presentations in general practice and hospital emergency department settings. As fractures are an important consideration in such injuries, many clinicians may be tempted to order routine radiographs for all patients who present with an acute knee injury.
Also in this issue…
For more information, visit www.racgp.org.au/afp.