The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and operational efficiency of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) for identifying long bone fractures in the emergency department.
Traditionally, suspected long bone fractures are diagnosed using X-rays. While effective, X-rays require transporting patients to a radiology suite, involve exposure to ionizing radiation, and can contribute to longer emergency room wait times. POCUS is a portable, radiation-free imaging tool that physicians perform directly at the patient's bedside. The investigators hypothesize that POCUS can accurately identify or rule out long bone fractures when compared to standard X-rays, and that its use will reduce the time required to make clinical decisions.
This is a multicenter, prospective observational study. Participants arriving at the emergency department with a suspected long bone fracture will undergo a bedside ultrasound examination performed by a trained emergency physician. Following the ultrasound, all participants will receive standard-of-care X-ray imaging.
Researchers will compare the initial POCUS findings to the final X-ray results (the reference standard) to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the ultrasound. Additionally, the study will measure operational timelines-including time to diagnosis, time to treatment decision, and total length of stay in the emergency department-to assess the impact of POCUS on hospital workflow and patient care efficiency.
Patients aged 18 years or older;
Presenting with clinical suspicion of a long bone fracture (pain, deformity, swelling, or functional limitation);
Provision of informed consent (signed Informed Consent Form - ICF).
Patients with open fractures;
Hemodynamic instability (resuscitation priority);
Known previous fractures in the same bone segment;
Need for immediate surgical intervention;