Table I.
Orthopaedic emergency conditions defined for the colour code system.
| Diagnosis | Color | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Hemodynamically unstable pelvic ring fractures | Red | Immediate |
| Long bones fractures with associated vascular lesions | ||
| Compartimental syndrome | ||
| Amputations/subamputaions | ||
| Exposed fractures | Orange | One to six hours |
| Hemodynamically stable, mechanically unstable pelvic ring fractures | ||
| Non-reducible dislocations | ||
| Unstable dislocations of the knee or ankle joint | ||
| Paediatric proximal humeral fractures with vascular compromise (Gartland IV) | ||
| Major trauma with long bone fractures | ||
| Femoral neck fracture in young | ||
| Paediatric proximal humeral fractures without vascular compromise (Gartland II-III) | Green | Six to 24 hours |
| Femoral or tibial dyaphiseal fractures | ||
| Distal femoral fractures | ||
| Proximal tibial fracture with soft tissue compromise | ||
| Distal tibial fracture with soft tissue compromise | ||
| Deep wound with tendineous lesions | ||
| Femoral neck fractures in elderly (> 65 year old) | White | Less than 48 hours |
| Paediatric fractures without vascular lesions |