Gathering a patient’s medical history (conditions and diseases, prescribed medications, psychological disorders, previous use of opioids and pain background) is important in determining how to best manage trauma pain. Consultations between physician and patient can help minimize the patient’s anxiety and provide insight into how the patient should be treated.

A crucial component in minimizing trauma pain is assessing the pain’s location and intensity. A patient may be unable to articulate information about pain for various reasons (e.g. loss of consciousness or shock). Accordingly, the monitoring of other indicators may be necessary in order to assess trauma pain levels, including:

• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Pupil size
• Respiratory rate
• Perspiration

Physicians may use imaging techniques to pinpoint the source of trauma pain, such as:

• X-ray. Produces images of the body using low doses of radiation. Quick, painless and relatively inexpensive, x–rays are a useful tool in diagnosing various forms of trauma pain. They work by passing small amounts of radiation through the body to produce an image on film.
  
  
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). A computerized technique that uses magnetic and radio waves to create detailed pictures of soft tissue and the musculoskeletal system. MRI scans pinpoint trauma pain by creating contrasting digital images of normal and abnormal body tissues without side effects to the patient.

• CAT scan (computed axial tomography). Combines x-rays and computer analysis to detail vital structures in the body. This technique is very effective in examining bone and spinal trauma.
  
  
• Bone scan. A type of radionuclide imaging test in which tiny amounts of radioactive materials are used to detect small stress fractures. However, bone scans can be poor in detail and specificity, with results often requiring further testing.
  
  
• Ultrasound. Uses sound waves to create images of internal organs and other body structures. Focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) is often used in emergency rooms to assess low-velocity injuries (e.g., stab wounds) and determine where surgical incisions should be made. Ultrasounds may also be helpful in detecting fetal complications resulting from trauma.
  
  
• Arthrography. Injects a contrast medium to enhance an x-ray of a joint.

Blunt trauma to the chest, abdomen or pelvis can cause a heart attack, and screening tests such as an electrocardiogram (EKG) or blood test of cardiac enzymes can benefit people with these kinds of injuries, according to recent research.