Ask the patient whether he feels pain. If he does, assess its location, severity, and quality.
Assess the patient for loss of sensation by touching the injured area with the tip of an open safety pin. Abnormal sensation or loss of sensation indicates neurovascular involvement.
Assess whether the patient can move the affected area. If he can't, he might have nerve or tendon damage.
Paleness, discoloration, and coolness on the injured side may indicate neurovascular compromise.
Check all pulses distal to the injury site. If a pulse is decreased or absent, blood supply to the area is reduced.