Emergencies That Masquerade as Musculoskeletal Injuries (Recorded Webinar)

Course overview

This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from those of standard Medbridge courses. Musculoskeletal pain is among the most common reasons patients seek care in both acute and outpatient settings. However, not all musculoskeletal presentations are what they seem. Conditions such as septic arthritis, compartment syndrome, aortic dissection, or cauda equina syndrome can initially mimic benign orthopedic injuries, delaying diagnosis and jeopardizing patient outcomes. This webinar equips clinicians with the tools to recognize critical red flags, apply systematic screening methods, and identify when a seemingly routine complaint warrants urgent escalation. Through real-world cases and evidence-based discussion, participants will learn to analyze patterns of pain, correlate findings across systems, and construct safe triage and referral decisions. Designed for physical therapists, athletic trainers, occupational therapists, emergency clinicians, and other healthcare providers, this course bridges the gap between musculoskeletal and emergent care, empowering practitioners to confidently protect patients from the emergencies hiding in plain sight.