Complications of Fractures

Question 1

What causes compartment syndrome?

Answer 1

Bleeding and inflammatory exudate from an injury cause the pressure to arise in a muscular compartment. Venous system becomes compressed resulting in congestion and secondary ischaemia as arterial blood cannot supply the congested muscle.

Question 2

What are the clinical signs of compartment syndrome?

Answer 2

Severe pain - increased on passive stretching
Parasthesia
Sensory loss
Swollen, tender muscle
Loss of pulses in end stage

Question 3

What is a consequence of untreated ischeamic muscle

Answer 3

can result in fibrotic contracture known as Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture

Question 4

What is a neurapraxia

Answer 4

when a nerve has a temporary conduction defect from compression or stretch and will fully recover over time

Question 5

What is an axonotmesis?

Answer 5

Happens in more seriodu injurie- nerve is structurally intact but the long axons distal to the point of injury die in a process known as wallerian degenerations- long recovery and full recovery may not be achieved

Question 6

what is a neurotmesis

Answer 6

a complete transection of the nerve - no recovery without surgery

Question 7

What injuries are characteristically associated with nerve injuries

Answer 7

colles fracture and carpal tunnel
anterior dislocation of the shoulder- axillary plasy
Humeral shaft fracture- radial nerve
supracondylar fractures and median nerve
posterior dislocation of the hip and sciatic nerve
bumper injury to lateral knee and peroneal nerve palsy

Question 8

What injuries are characteristically associated with nerve injuries

Answer 8

colles fracture and carpal tunnel
anterior dislocation of the shoulder- axillary plasy
Humeral shaft fracture- radial nerve
supracondylar fractures and median nerve
posterior dislocation of the hip and sciatic nerve
bumper injury to lateral knee and peroneal nerve palsy