Tibial plateau fractures can result from direct trauma or indirect compressive forces. These injuries often result in significant soft tissue disruption, ligamentous disturbance in addition to bone fractures. Diagnostic imaging findings in plain radiographs include fat-fluid level in the suprapatellar bursa, malalignment of the femoral condyles and tibial edges, and increased trabecular density in the lateral epicondyle. Patients in whom a tibial plateau fracture is suspected with negative radiographs should have computerized tomography imaging performed. Most patients will require surgical intervention for fracture fixations. Primary long-term complication includes posttraumatic osteoarthritis because of the traumatic stress forces across the joint.

Wrist injuries are a common complaint in the emergency setting. Any disruption of the anatomy of the carpal bones can impair hand function, leading to pain, weakness, and complications. One of the most common forms of carpal bone instability is scapholunate dissociation. This injury can lead to significant morbidity including avascular necrosis, impaired healing, limited function, and arthritis. These diagnostic findings may be subtle, thus identifying high-risk mechanisms of injury, and clinical manifestations will assist the emergency practitioner with early diagnosis and treatment of this high-risk injury.