It is important to determine what is going on, and for how long, before deciding on the next step.
What:
- Open injury (sharp injury and/or with crush component)
- Closed injury
- Gunshot wound
When:
- Acute injury (happened hours ago)
- Subacute injury (happened within the last few weeks to year)
- Chronic injury (happened over a year ago)
- Sudden onset
- Insidious onset
Symptoms:
- Loss of motor function
- Loss of sensory function
- Pain
Variation:
- Ameliorants (anything that made the injury feel better)
- Exacerbants (anything that made the injury feel worse)
Other:
- Associated injuries: vascular, bony, and soft tissue
- Previous treatments (medical, therapy, and surgical-related)