Fractures! Flashcards
dx
Fractures are always diagnosed with an x-ray.
In terms of therapy, general rules for FRACTURES are 3:
1 Closed reduction
2 Open reduction and internal fixation:
3 Open fractures
Closed reduction indication
mild fractures without displacement
Open reduction and internal fixation, indication and how it works
severe fractures with displacement or misalignment of bone pieces
: realignment of the ends of a fracture, and stabilization of the fracture using implants
Open fractures management
skin must be closed and the bone must be set in the
operating room with debridement
There are 5 main types of fractures:
1 Comminuted fractures:
- Stress fractures:
- Compression fractures:
- Pathologic fracture
- Open fracture:
main cxfx of fractures
all kinds present with pain, swelling, and deformity.
Comminuted fractures: meaning
a fracture in which the bone gets broken into
multiple pieces
Comminuted fractures: cause
Most commonly caused by crush injuries (body is squeezed between two heavy objects)
Stress fractures: patho
a complete fracture from repetitive insults to the bone in question
Most common stress fracture is
of the metatarsals.
athletes and runners with persistent pain. HIGH YIELD!
stress fracture dx
X-ray does not show evidence, so a CT or MRI must be conducted
stress fracture tx
rehabilitation, reduced physical activity, and casting. If persistent, surgery is indicated.
Compression fractures. pathoph. where and to whom this happen
a specific fracture of the vertebra in the setting of
osteoporosis
Approximately _/3 of osteoporotic vertebral injuries are lumbar, _/3 are thoracolumbar, and _/3 are thoracic in origin.
1/3
Pathologic fracture: pathp
a fracture that occurs from minimal trauma to bone that
is weakened by disease
Pathologic fracture: diseases involved:
Metastatic carcinoma (e.g., breast or colon), multiple myeloma, and Paget disease
Pathologic fracture: vignette
older person fractures a rib from coughing. HY!
Pathologic fracture: tx
surgical realignment of the bone and treatment of the
underlying disease.
Open fracture: is associated with
high rates of bacterial infection to the
surrounding tissue
Open fracture: tx
Surgery is always the right answer.
