Emergencies That Masquerade as Musculoskeletal Injuries (Recorded Webinar)
Presented by Samantha Reeder
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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.
Learning Outcomes
- Determine key red-flag symptoms that distinguish musculoskeletal injuries from emergent medical conditions
- Analyze case presentations to identify when common MSK complaints may represent systemic or life-threatening pathology
- Integrate differential diagnosis principles to prioritize emergent versus nonemergent causes of musculoskeletal pain
- Correlate pathophysiologic mechanisms with clinical presentations to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes
Meet your instructor
Samantha Reeder
Samantha Reeder, MD is an emergency medicine physician and healthcare leader focused on helping people stay active through injuries, surgeries, and life disruptions. She is the Founder and CEO of Bounce Back Smart, an AI-driven adaptive fitness platform designed to support safe, progressive training through recovery phases,…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Recognizing the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: When “MSK Pain” Isn’t MSK
This chapter introduces the concept of medical emergencies presenting as musculoskeletal pain through engaging real-world cases. Learners will review the clinical importance of differentiating benign injuries from emergent pathologies such as spinal epidural abscess and aortic dissection. Red-flag symptoms and common diagnostic pitfalls will be explored to build a foundation for clinical reasoning.
2. Hidden Emergencies: Life-Threatening Diagnoses Masquerading as MSK
This section examines specific high-risk conditions—such as cauda equina syndrome, DVT/PE, and myocardial infarction—that can mimic musculoskeletal pain. Learners will analyze case data, compare diagnostic features, and apply screening techniques to determine when an MSK complaint requires urgent workup or referral.
3. From Awareness to Action: Integrating Screening and Referral in Practice
In this final chapter, participants will integrate lessons learned into practical application. Using differential diagnosis frameworks and red-flag algorithms, learners will construct effective triage plans and correlate findings across systems to improve patient safety. The session concludes with a summary quiz and discussion of best practices for interdisciplinary collaboration.
4. Question and Answer Session
This chapter is a viewer-submitted question and answer session with questions answered by Samantha Reeder.