Fracture management Flashcards
Give examples of fracture forces and what type of fracture they can cause
Bending - causes transverse fractures
Axial compression - causes oblique fractures
Torsion - causes spiral fractures
Greenstick fractures are usually seen in what age dogs?
Young
E.g. when jumping for a frisbee
What causes avulsion fractures?
Pull of a ligament or tendon
What are the 3 main categories of skeletal fixation tools?
Plates and screws
External skeletal fixators
Pins and wires
What are the 2 basic categories of orthopaedic plates?
Dynamic compression plates
Locking plates
What are lag screws?
Screws used to produce interfragmental compression - screw placed across fracture
(Most effective method of compression)
In what type of fractures may an intramedullary pin be used?
Medium-long, oblique simple fractures
What are the advantages of locking systems?
Excellent for poor quality bone (juvenile, osteopenia)
Improved vascularity
Less countouring
Monocortical screws more stable
What are the disadvantages of locking systems?
Lag screws cannot be placed through plate
More expensive
Fixed angle systems cannot angle screws away from implants/fracture edges
What are the advantages of intramedullary pins?
Good at resisting bending
Often relatively inexpensive
May be used with other fiction devices (external fixation, plate)
What are the disadvantages of intramedullary pins?
Poor at resisting rotation and shear
Interferes with medullary blood supply
Difficult in chondrodystrophic patients
What position should a lag screw be placed? (In relation to a fracture)
Perpendicular to fracture
