12. Rheum/Ortho/Sports Flashcards
Define negatively birefringent in gout
Yellow when parallel to polarizing axis
Blue when lying perpendicular
Will see yellow and blue crystals perpendicular to each other
Note: CPPD cyrstals are smaller and rhomboid
Supracondylar fracturs are assoc with injury to what?
Median nerve, brachial artery
Note: ARM mneumonic. Axillary nerve, radial nerve, median nerve from top to bottom
Painful, red or violaceous, subcutaneous nodules on the anterior lower legs is what? Next step in management?
Erythema nodosum
CXR to look for sarcoidosis or Tb. These are assoc with EN
Psuedogout is an acute inflam arthritis d/t calcium pyrophosphate crystals. Often in setting of surgery or medical illness! Dx?
- Synovial fluid shows rhomboid-shaped, pos birefringent crystals
- Radiographic evidence of chondrocalcinosis (calcified articular cartilage!!)
MCC of asymptomatic elevation of alkaline phosphatase in an elderly patient?
Paget disease of the bone - freq incidental finding
Elderly patient with advanced osteoporosis can get acute back pain following minimal trauma? What is the cause?
Vertebral compression fracture - common complication of advanced osteoporosis. Pain inc with standing, walking or lying on back. Tenderness at affected level.
Immune complex deposition in small to medium sized blood vessels leading to endothelial injury and end-organ damage. Presents with fatigue, nonblanching, palpable purpura, arthralgias, renal disease, and peripheral neuropathies. Dx? Confirm? What is it assoc with?
Mixed cryoglobulinemia syndrome
confirm serologically with low complement levels or skin/renal bx
Assoc with CHRONIC HEP C, HIV, SLE
Elevated alk phos, skull with thickened cortices with mixed lytic and osteoblastic lesions suggests what? Management?
Paget disease of bone
Bisphosphonates (eg Alendronate) - inhibit osteoclasts
Scaphoid fractures may present with initially neg Xrays. What’s the best next step in management if you suspect a scaphoid fracture?
CT scan or MRI of the wrist.
OR - can immobilize the wrist in thumb spica and repeat imaging in 7-10 days
What imaging can confirm a rotator cuff tear?
MRI
Exam findings of osteoarthritis?
Bony enlargement and tenderness, crepitus with movement, and painful or dec ROM
Note: worse after actiity at the end of the day
What is anserine bursitis/pes anserinus pain syndrome?
Localized pain and tenderness over the anteromedial tibia. Sx occur over weeks to months, and pain worse overnight/in the morning. Strongly assoc with diabetes
What should you suspect in a young patient with Down syndrome who presents with UMN findings (hyperreflexic, positive Babinski), ataxic, dizzy, and refusal to do usual activities
Atlantoaxial instability - excess laxity in posterior transverse ligament –> inc mobility bw C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis)
What is effective initial therapy for fibromyalgia? In what type of patients is FM seen in?
TCAs - amytriptyline
Young to middle-aged women - fatigue, widespread pain, and cognitive/mood disturbances
How do you manage a peds patient with radial head subluxation (nursemaid’s elbow)?
Gently hyperpronate the forearm OR supinate the forearm and flex the elbow1
Whats the best way to prevent future gout attacks?
ETOH cessation. Weight loss also helpful.