Fracture management

Question 1

What are the 3 aims of fracture management? (in order of importance)

Answer 1

Save life
Treat pain
Restore function as safely and reasonably as possible

Question 2

How much blood is roughly lost in a femoral fracture?

Answer 2

1 litre

Question 3

How much blood is roughly lost in a pelvic fracture?

Answer 3

3 litres

Question 4

Why does splinting a fracture reduce pain?

Answer 4

Reduces muscle spasm

Question 5

What is reduction?

Answer 5

Process by which original anatomical shape of the bone is more or less restored (at least sufficient to permit normal functions in daily living)

Question 6

What are the 2 different types of reduction?

Answer 6

Closed reduction

Open (surgical) reduction

Question 7

Name 3 methods of external fixation

Answer 7

Plaster of Paris (and its derivatives)
Traction
External fixator

Question 8

Name 3 methods of internal fixation

Answer 8

Plates and screws
Pins and wires
Roads and nails

Question 9

What are the 5 factors taken into consideration when deciding how to manage a fracture?

Answer 9

The patient 
The injury 
The facilities available 
The skills of the operator 
Mechanical rationale