COmponent #2- Objective Methods
The observation component of the injury assessment refers to the visual inspection of the injured body part. The visual observation can be an extremely useful tool in approaching the clinical diagnosis of an injury. When observing/examining a patient, there are a few rules and regulations to take into consideration, which aid in the injury assessment procedure. When observing:
- Be sure to compare BILATERALLY when observing. Bilateral comparison refers to first examining the uninjured limb or body segment to establish a baseline or control for the patient. Comparing an uninjured body segment to an injured body segment allows the healthcare professional to observe any physical signs of injury.
- Assess for Inflammation- does the injured body segment show signs of swelling as compared to the uninjured segment? Is there a temperature change within the local area of injury, as opposed to the uninjured segment?
- Assess for Ecchymosis- does the injured body segment show signs of bruising or internal bleeding as a result of injury? Are there any signs of pooling blood or discoloration surrounding the local area of injury?
- Assess for Scars- do either the injured or uninjured body segment exhibit any scarring from previous injuries? This may be important in determining the cause of injury with regards to any laxity, instability, improper healing or excessive exertion, with regards to a previous injury.
- Assess for Deformity- does the injured body segment exhibit signs of deformity? Bilateral comparison is extremely important in visually assessing for deformity. Deformity may indicate both the type of the injury and severity of the injury.
- Assess for postural abnormalities- Does the injured body segment affect the patients overall posture? Again, bilateral comparison will either rule out or rule in any postural abnormalities.
- Assess for discoloration- Does the injured limb exhibit signs of discoloration, separate from that of ecchymosis? A discoloration in the skin or soft tissue surrounding the injury may indicate vascular problems due to injury.
- Be sure to compare BILATERALLY when observing. Bilateral comparison refers to first examining the uninjured limb or body segment to establish a baseline or control for the patient. Comparing an uninjured body segment to an injured body segment allows the healthcare professional to observe any physical signs of injury.
- Assess for Inflammation- does the injured body segment show signs of swelling as compared to the uninjured segment? Is there a temperature change within the local area of injury, as opposed to the uninjured segment?
- Assess for Ecchymosis- does the injured body segment show signs of bruising or internal bleeding as a result of injury? Are there any signs of pooling blood or discoloration surrounding the local area of injury?
- Assess for Scars- do either the injured or uninjured body segment exhibit any scarring from previous injuries? This may be important in determining the cause of injury with regards to any laxity, instability, improper healing or excessive exertion, with regards to a previous injury.
- Assess for Deformity- does the injured body segment exhibit signs of deformity? Bilateral comparison is extremely important in visually assessing for deformity. Deformity may indicate both the type of the injury and severity of the injury.
- Assess for postural abnormalities- Does the injured body segment affect the patients overall posture? Again, bilateral comparison will either rule out or rule in any postural abnormalities.
- Assess for discoloration- Does the injured limb exhibit signs of discoloration, separate from that of ecchymosis? A discoloration in the skin or soft tissue surrounding the injury may indicate vascular problems due to injury.
Case scenario 1:
Upon assessment of this individual, you find no visible deformity, nor is discoloration present. There is, however, visible inflammation, bilaterally, along the anterior aspect of the medial joint line.
case scenario 2:
Upon assessment of this individual, you find no visible deformity, nor is discoloration present immediately. There is, however, visible inflammation in the left anterior quadriceps.