Fractures & Imaging Flashcards
Things to consider when assessing a fracture (7)
- Open vs. closed
- Location
- Degree (complete vs. incomplete)
- Articular extension
- Comminution/pattern
- Intrinsic bone quality
- Displacement, angulation, rotation
Complete fracture
Extends completely thru bone (2 cortices)
Incomplete fracture
Does not extend completely thru entire bone thickness (1 cortex)
What to look for with spiral fractures?
Associated fractures
How are spiral fractures typically caused?
Low forced torsion injuries
Toddler w/ spiral fracture alerts you for…
Abuse
Segmental fracture
2 adjacent fractures w/ isolated central segment
Pathologic fracture
Fracture in bone weakened by abnl condition (cancer, osteoporosis, etc)
What could you see on xray of stress fracture?
- Initial might be neg
- Sometimes only clue is callus formation (new bone being laid down)
Comminuted fracture
Shattered bone
Compression fracture
Bone fractured by 2 other bones (vertebral bodies)
Salter-Harris fracture
Through growth plate (important in peds)
- S=slipped
- A=above
- L=lower
- T=through
- R=rammed
* * 1 & 2–usually minor
* * 3-5–poorer prognosis
What MSK problems can be seen on xray?
- Fractures & callous formation
- Dislocations
- Tumors/cysts
- Soft tissue
- Metabolic changes (osteopenia, excess bone, etc)
Gold standard imaging for soft tissue
MRI
Contrast injected into joint to evaluate soft tissue of joints before MRI, CT, or xray
Arthrogram
