Fractures Flashcards
What occurs in inflammatory phase of bone healing?
1-2 weeks
increased vascularity and formation of fracture hematoma
cellular response: infiltration of neutrophils, macrophages, phagocytes, osteoclasts
What happens in reparative phase of bone healing?
months
cell differentiation: bone callous formed by chondroblasts and fibroblasts, osteoblasts mineralize the soft callous
radiographic evidence of fracture line diminishes, but bone is immature and at risk fro delayed union/non-union
What happens in remodeling phase of bone healing
months to years
reformation of medullary canal
delayed remodeling with compromised blood flow, periosteal stripping, highly comminuted fractures, extensive associated soft tissue injury
What is function like in inflammatory phase?
total restriction: NWB, immobilization
What is function like in reparative phase?
early: PWB, PROM/limited AROM
late: WBAT, increasing AROM
What is function like in remodeling phase?
near normal: FWB, full AROM/RROM
What factors go into bone healing?
1) Age: remodeling is fast in kids, relatively constant after early adulthood
2) Location and configuration: fractures around muscle heal faster, cancellous bone heals faster than cortical bone, long oblique and spiral fractures heal faster than transverse
3) Extent of initial displacement: non displaced fractures with intact periosteal sleeve heal twice as fast as displaced, greater initial displacement=more extensive periosteal sleeve disruption=prolonged healing time
4) Blood supply: if all fractures have blood supply=excellent prognosis for healing, if only some fragments have supply rigid immobilization allows vascularized fragments to serve as hosts, if both fragments are avascular union will not occur until there is revascularization even with rigid immobilization
What are initial fracture complications>?
local injuries: skin, vascular, neurologic, muscular, visceral
What are early fracture complications?
Local: infection, gangrene, septic arthritis, compartment syndrome, osteomyelitis, avascular necrosis
Remote: thrombus/embolus formation, pneumonia, tetanus
What are late fracture complications?
Joint: persistent pain or stiffness, post traumatic DJD
Bony: abnormal healing, growth disturbance, persistent osteomyelitis, osteoporosis, CRPS
Muscular: myositis ossificans, tendon rupture
True or False: compartment syndrome is a emergency situation?
TRUE
What is acute compartment syndrome?
increased pressure within fascial compartment (especially anterior lower leg) due to edema or hematoma within closed space
What are symptoms of acute compartment syndrome?
painful
edematous, tight
absent or significantly diminished pulse (biggest factor because you can lose blood supply and cause ischemia leading to loss of limb)
What is chronic compartment syndrome?
due to muscular expansion or decreased size of anatomical compartment
What is heterotropic ossification?
soft tissue ossification, usually periarticular
most commonly involves hip or knee
unknown etiology