Disorders Of The Knee Flashcards
Why do knee disorders have a massive impact on patients?
Major weight bearing joint needed for walking
Injury reduces mobility (reduces activity, leading to weight gain)
Cant work
Depressions
Socially isolated (cant participate in activities)
What sort of energy is required for a femoral shaft fracture?
High energy injuries
What type of incidents can lead to femoral shaft fractures?
RTA (Road traffic accidents)
Falls from height
Why are femoral shaft fractures dangerous?
Can lose immense amounts of blood leading to Hypovolaemic shock
How are femoral shaft fractures usually treated?
Traction splint
Surgical fixation
How do Tibial Plateau fractures usually occur?
Axial loading (falling from height landing on the feet)
What type of energy injury is a Tibial Plateau fracture?
High energy injury
What is usually damaged in Tibial Plateau fractures?
Tibial condyle(s)
Articular cartilage
What do Tibial Plateau fractures cause?
Instability in the joint (reduced accurate join surface)
How is a Tibial Plateau fracture fixed?
Fix articular segment to shaft in surgery
What is a patient at increased risk of with a Tibial Plateau fracture?
Post traumatic Osteoarthritis
What is a Bipartite patella?
A patella that functions normally but is in 2 parts
What test can you do to check if the patella is fractured?
Straight leg raise to see if the extensor mechanism is in tact
How is a displaced patella fracture fixed?
Reduced then surgically fixed
How is an undisplaced fracture of the patella fixed?
Splint
Protect
What do all fractures at joints put you at risk of?
Post traumatic osteoarthritis
What is the definition of a dislocation?
Loss of congruity of joints
What is Subluxation?
Partial loss of congruity of joint
Why does the knee tend to move laterally and therefore likely to laterally dislocate?
Q angle = The force of the pull of the quadriceps pulls the patella laterally strongly
What muscle pulls the patella medially helping prevent lateral patella dislocations?
Vastus medialis
What is the Q angle?
Angle between Quadriceps tendon and the patella tendon
How does size of the Q angle affect the patella?
The larger the Q angle, the more likely lateral dislocation is to occur
How is a dislocated or subluxated patella fixed?
Reduce it
Immobilise it
What type of cartilage is the menisci?
Fibrocartilage
How do meniscal injuries occur?
Twisting of knee in high Flexion
What are the signs of a meniscal injury?
Locking of the knee
Swelling
Localised pain
Why do meniscal injuries/tears often lead to locking?
The torn meniscus acts as an Intra articular foreign body mechanically blocking the space preventing the knee from fully extending
What is a menisectomy?
Removal of damaged cartilage
What are the static factors that determine joint stability?
Bones and ligaments
(Can not be changed)