B3 L37: Fractures of the upper limb and their management Flashcards
What is the mechanism of injury for clavicle fractures?
Fall onto superolateral aspect shoulder > direct blow to shoulder > FOOSH
What are 4 other injuries which can occur with clavicle fractures (associate EXAM QUESTION
- # scapula
- # ribs – pneumothorax/ haemothorax/ pulmonary contusion
- vascular injuries
- Subclavian artery
- Axillary vessels
- brachial plexus injuries
What is a traction type injury?
head and shoulder go in different directions
What are medial clavicle fractures usually a result of (MOI)?
of high energy blunt trauma such as MVA, MBA, Ped vs car
90% associated with multi trauma
What is the most likely to less likely location that is injured in a clavicle? Why is this the case?
Mid shaft > lateral> medial
- two relatively flat surfaces linked by middle tubular section, area of inherent weakness
What is the medical management for a medial clavicle fracture?
Medial largely non operative unless posterior displacement that threatens neurovascular structures and skin (risk of injection- complications)
What is the medical management for a middle clavicle fracture?
Middle largely non operative unless significant angulation or shortening
What is the medical management for a lateral clavicle fracture?
Lateral depends on whether conoid segment of coracoclavicular ligament is attached to the medial fragment of the clavicle
What is the medical management for when a ORIF is needed for a clavicle fracture?
ORIF may be indicated if pathological fracture, progressive neurological loss, scapulo- thoracic dissociation, open injury, impending skin disruption
The Position of fracture can affect chance of _____ due to ligamentous structure. Give 2 examples.
healing
- Fracture medial to coracoclavicular ligaments
- Fracture between coraoclavicular ligaments
What are methods of immobilisation for a clavicle fracture?
- Large number of binder applications for fracture immobilisation
- Sling application (eg. figure 8 brace shoulder sling (most common)
What are 2 characteristics of operative treatment for clavicle fractures?
- Plate fixation +/- bone graft preferred method (problems- have screw which loose and burrow to other areas of body (eg. heart))
- Intramedullary nail less rotational control (nail pass down long bone)
What are the 5 important guidelines to follow for clavicle fractures post op?
- 3/52 sling
- gentle active-assist shoulder F and ER in supine (no pendular- due to displacing force of the weight of the arm))
- after 6/52 gentle isometric strengthening with progressive resistance beginning @ 2/12
- light lifting 3/12
- heavy lifting and contact sports restricted until 6/12
What is the mechanism of injury for scapula fractures? List 3 mechanism.
- High energy direct trauma
- Axial loading through fall on outstretched arm
- Dislocation of the shoulder can fracture glenoid
What is the most likely to less likely location that is injured in a scapula?
Body> neck> glenoid > acromion > coracoid
What are 4 signs and symptoms of a scapular fracture?
- Arm held adducted
- local tenderness
- If displaced scap neck or acromial # -> shoulder appears flattened
- deep inspiration - pain from attached muscles
- pec minor - coracoid #
- serratus anterior - body #
- with body #’s - there is deep swelling which is often quite painful -> inhibition RC -> loss of arm elevation - resolves in a few weeks
What are 8 associated injuries in conjunction with scapula fractures?
- pneumothorax
- rib #’s
- pulmonary contusion
- # clavicle
- brachial plexus injury
- arterial injury
- skull #’s and CHI (closed head injuries)
- spinal #’s
What is the complication with an acromial scapula fracture?
decrease subacromial space = pressure on structures that pass through
What is the management of a glenoid fracture (intra-articular), if it is unstable or if the humeral head is unstable?
ORIF and capsular repair
What are the 3 types of acromial fractures?
Type 1
Type 2
Type 3
How is a type 1 acromial fracture classified?
minimally displaced
How is a type 2 acromial fracture classified?
displaced but no reduction in subacromial space
How is a type 3 acromial fracture classified?
displaced with reduction in subacromial space
What are the 2 types of glenoid neck fractures?
- Without associated separation A/C jt or clavicle #
- With above associated injuries
What is the management for a glenoid neck fracture without associated separation A/C jt or clavicle #?
sling for a few days and then passives
What is the management for a glenoid neck fracture with associated injuries?
- may -> discomfort and instability
- indicating need for surg
- will also need surgery if angulation is >40 degrees
What is the complication of a type 3 acromial fracture?
impacting on important structures - acromion moving into subacromial space
How should type 1 and 2 acromial fractures be managed? Operative or non-operative? List 3 guidelines to follow?
- Non-operative sling 3/52
- PROM commence Day 1
- progress to isometrics and then active movements incorporating RC and deltoid resistance work after # healing
How should type 3 acromial fractures be managed? Operative or non-operative? List the guideline to follow?
- operative treatment - ORIF
- immobilization - as cont deltoid contraction could depress acromion preventing healing
What are the 2 types of coracoid fractures?
Type 1
Type 2
How is a type 1 coracoid fracture classified? (2)
- proximal to C/C (corococlavicular) lig
- usually have associated A/C separation, clavicle #, superior scap# or glenoid # and may require Surgical fixation
How is a type 1 coracoid fracture classified?
distal to C/C (corococlavicular) lig
What is the mechanism of injury in a scapula body fracture?
High energy blunt trauma or sudden contraction of muscles eg electrocution or seizures Often associated with polytrauma
How should a scapula body fracture be managed?
- Mostly conservative management sling and then 1/52 post-injury -
- pendular and active-assist exercises
What is a floating shoulder? What are 2 combined fractures? What 2 directions are they compromised?
Combined clavicle (anterior) and scapula (posterior) fracture
What is often the management for a floating shoulder?
Operative fixation often indicated
What is the mechanism of injury of a proximal humeral fracture?
Most common is fall on the outstretched hand
A proximal humeral fracture is most common in elderly population with__________.
osteoporosis
A fracture of the proximal humerus occurs in younger persons from ______ such as _______.
direct trauma; fall onto the shoulder
What are the 3 x rays needed for a shoulder trauma series?
- True Shoulder AP
- Lateral (Scapula Y view)
- Axillary view
What is a AP shoulder x ray? What are 2 things it can show?
- Clearly defines the joint space
- In absence of subluxation or dislocation should be no overlap between the humeral head and the glenoid
What is the true scapula lateral or scapula Y view?
- Right angles to the AP view
- Beam parallels the scapula spine
What can the true scapula lateral or scapula Y view show? How does that differ from an AP view?
anterior and posterior dislocation and displaced tuberosities
normally AP can tell if there is displacement but not direction
What is the axillary view on the x ray? What position should the arm be in?
Arm abducted 20 – 30 degrees
What are 3 things the axillary view show?
- Best for evaluation of articular surfaces of humeral head and glenoid
- Fractures of the humeral head
- Posterior fracture dislocations and displaced greater tuberosity fractures
How does Neers classify proximal humeral fractures? What are the 4 different types?
- Head of Humerus
- Greater Tuberosity
- Lesser Tuberosity
- Shaft
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
How is a fracture classified as displaced (proximal humeral fracture)?
>1cm separation or >45 degrees angulation otherwise one part fracture
What does a part 2 (SNOH) proximal humeral fracture look like on an x-ray?
significant displacement through surgical neck of humerus
What does a part 2 (GT) proximal humeral fracture look like on an x-ray?
What does a part 3 proximal humeral fracture look like on an x-ray?