Fractures Flashcards
What are the features of a fracture?
pain loss of function tenderness deformity swelling crepitus abnormal movement or positioning soft tissue
What is the metaphysis?
the ossified portion of bone in a transitional one between the epiphysis and the diaphysis- should always have a smoothly curved cortex
What is an apophysis?
bony outgrowth independent of a centre of ossification
What is fracture disease?
muscle atrophy; stiff joints and osteoporosis
What are the indications for ORIF?
failed conservative Rx; 2 #s in 1 limb; bilateral indentical #s; intra-articular #s; open #s
When might external fixation be used?
burns; loss of skin and bone or open #
What are the 7 A’s of open #s?
ATLS
assessment- neurovascular and soft tissues
antisepsis- swab wound and irrigate
alignment
anti-tetanus
antibiotics- ceftriaxone +/- metronidazole
analgesia
What is the mnemonic for Salter-Harris #s?
SALTR- S- slipped A-above L-lower T-through R-rammed
What are the immediate complications of fractures?
internal bleeding external bleeding organ injury nerve/skin injury vessel injury (limb ischaemia)
What ar teh later local complications of fractures?
skin necrosis/gangrene
pressure sore
infection
non or delayed union
What are the lateral geeneral complications of #s?
venous or fat embolism; PE; pneumonia; renal stones
What are the signs of a fat embolism?
confusion; dyspneoa; increased pulse’ decrased PaO2; fits; coma; increased Temp; petechial rash
What prevents fat embolism?
early fixation of #s
What is the viscious cycle of compartment syndrome?
pressure–vascular occlusion– hypoxia– necrosis– increased pressure
What are the signs of compartment syndrome?
erythema; mottling; blisters; swelling; pain on passive stretching
What are hte late complications of #s?
wound sepsis failure of fixation joint stiffness, contracture or malalignment CRPS non-union delayed union
What is non-union defined as?
no evidence of progression towards healing
What causes non-unions?
abnormal biology eg infection; blood supply or mechanics
What is delayed union?
when a # has not healed within the time expected for THAT #
What are hte causes of delayed union?
in a bone that has finished growing
poor blood supply or avascular fragment
comminuted/ infected #s
generalised sieases eg malignancy or infection
distraction of bone ends by muscel- ORIF prevents
What are the two types of CRPS?
type 1- no nerve injury
type 2- if nerve lesions are present
What are the signs of CRPS?
only local sign (no systenic)- pain (burning); allodynia; vasomotor instability; abnormal sweating
patchy oseopenia
Where a # clavicle most common?
middle third
What is the management of a fractured clavicle?
broad arm sling with x-rays at 6 weeks
What are the potential neurovascular injuries with a clavicle# ?
brachial plexus; sublcavlisn vessels
What other complication can you get with clavicle #?
pnuemothorax
How do AC dislocations commonly happen?
fall onto the point of hte hsoulder
What are the signs of AC dislocation?
tender prominence over ACJ; adduction of arm across body is very painful
What is the mx of AC dislocation?
sling support and early mobilisation
Who tends to get #s of proximal humerus?
osteoporotic #s in the elderly after FOOSH
How is a minimally siplaced proximal humeral # treated?
conservative with a sling
How is a persistently displaced proximal humeral # treated?
interal fixation
How is a head splitting or 3/4 part # trated?
arthoplasty
What is the most common pattern of a proximal hermal #?
of surgical neck with medial displacement of humeral shaft due to pectoralis major pull
What neurovascular injury can occur with prox. humeral #?
brachial plexus/ axillary nerve/ artery
How is axillary nerve injury assessed?
loss of sensation in regimental patch area
How a humeral shaft # mostly treated?
splinting with a humeral brace and collar and cuff sling
How should a humeral shaft# in polytrauma be treated?
internal fixation with IM nail, plate or screw
How is non-union with a humeral shaft# treated?
plating and bone graft
what can be injured in a humeral shaft #?
radial nerve
What are the signs of radial nerve injury?
wrist drop and loss of sensation in the 1st dorsal web space
What are the signs of an anterior shoulder dislocation?
loss of shoulder contour; anterior bulge from head of humerus- may be palpated in axilla
What is the mechanism for anterior shoulder dislocations?
excessive external rotation or fall onto back of shoulder
What is the recurrence rate for ant. shoulder dislocations in pts <20?
80%
What is Hamilton’s ruler sign?
used for anterior shoulder dislcations- ruler touches both acromion and lateral epicondyle
What is a Bankart lesion?
detachment of anterior glenoid labrum
What is a Hill-Sach’s lesion?
impact # of posterior head of humerus from hitting against anterior glenoid
What is the treatment for an anterior shoulder dislocation?
simple reduction
What is the mechanism in a posterior shoulder dislocation?
posterior force on adducted and internally rotated arm
What are the signs of a posterior shoulder dislocation?
limitation of external rotation
What type of xray should be done to assess if there is a posterior shoulder dislocation?
lateral
What is seen on a lateral xray with a post. shoudler dislocation?
light bulb sogn
How typically gets supracondylar humeral #s?
children (5-7yo)
What can be injured in a supracondylar #?
brachial artery, median radial or ulnar nerve
How can further injury to the brachial artery be prevented in a supracondylar #?
keep elbow in extension
What is the xray sign in an elbow intra-articular #?
posterior fat pad sign
What is the treatment for an intra-articular elbow#?
ORIF with anatomic reduction and rigid fixation
What is the mechanims for an elbow dislocation?
FOOSH
What is the typically dislocation for the elbow?
posterior
What is the management of an uncomplicated elbow dislocation?
closed reduction under sedation
What is the mechanism of olecranon #?
a fall onto the point of the elbow
What is a simple transverse avulsion # of olecranon treated with?
tension band wiring
What muscle is responsible for avulsion in olecranon #?
triceps brachii
How is a communicated olecranon # treated?
ORIF with a plate and screws
What is the sign of a radial head #?
elbow is swollen adn tender over the radial head- flexion/extension may be possible but supination/pronantion will not
What is the sign on xray of a radial head #?
posterior fat pad sign
How are undisplaced radial head #s treated?
collar and cuff
How are displaced/fragmented radial head #s treated?
internal fixation or excision of radial head and replacement
What can be injured in radial head #s?
radial nerve
What is the terrible triad?
radial head#; elbow dislocation; coronoid process #
How are elbow epicondyle #s treated?
fixed with screw
How are coronoid #s treated?
ORIF with screw
What is the mnemonic for Galleazzi and Monteggia #s?
GRUesome MURder
What is a Galleazzi #?
radius # wtih distal ulnar dislocation
What is a Monteggia #?
ulnar # with radial dislocation
What is the name for an ulnar shaft #?
nightstick #
How are ulnar shaft #s treated?
conservatively
Who gets Colles #s?
osteoporotic post-menopausal women who FOOSH
Describe a Colles #?
dorsal angulation and displacement producing a dinner fork wrist deformity
What are hte complications of a Colles #?
median nerve compression; EPL rupture; CRPS; loss of grip strength
How is a stable, minimally displaced Colles# treated?
plaster
How is a displaced, simple colles# treated?
MUA
How is a displaced, comminuted Colles# treated?
MUA and k-wiring, ORIF
How is a # of both bones of the forearm treated?
ORIF with plates and screws
How is a # of radius and ulna in a child with minimal angulation treated?
plaster
Describe a Smith’s #?
volarly displaced and angulated # of distal radiu
How does a Smiths # occur?
falling onto back of a flexed wrist
How is a Smiths # treated?
ORIF using plates and screws
Why is management for a Smiths different than a Colles?
Smith’s tend to be very unstable
What is a Barton’s #?
intra-articular # invovling either the dorsal/volar aspect of distal radius; carpal bones sublux with displaced rim fragment
What is another name for a Volar Barton’s?
intra-articular Smith’s
What is another name for a dorsal Barton’s ?
intra-articular Colle’s
How are Barton’s #s treated>
ORIF
How are comminuted intra-articular distal radius # treated?
external fixation +/- k wires
What is the mechanism for Scaphoid #s?
FOOSH
What are the signs of a scaphoid #s?
tenderness in anatomical snuff box; pain on compressing the thumb metacarpal
What are the xrays that hsould be done when a scaphoid # is suspected?
AP, lateral and 2 oblique views
What is a clinical scaphoid #?
when # does not show up on xray but suspected clinically