How to Describe a Fracture Flashcards
Identification of X ray - what is needed?
- Right person
- Right time
- Right part
- Right views – are they adequate enough to diagnose what you are trying to diagnose
how is identification of a x-ray done?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/314/662/042/a_image_thumb.png?1592923096)
what do you look at in an x-ray?
Cortical outline
Cancellous architecture (make up of bone), also look at pedicles
Soft Tissue (triangles)
Joints (sacroiliac joints and hip joints
Alignment (this patient has scoliosis)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/314/662/081/a_image_thumb.png?1592923159)
what things are important to look at in a joint?
Joint Space
Cortical outline (shape)
Subchondral bone (bone under cartilage)
Cyst
Osteophytes
Alignment
what things are used to describe a fracture?
- Mechanism & energy of injury
- Skin & soft tissues
- Site
- Shape
- Comminution
- Deformity
- Associated injuries
when describing a fracture, what are radiological features and what are clinical features?
radiological:
- Site
- Shape
- Comminution
- Deformity
clinical:
- Mechanism & energy of injury
- Skin & soft tissues
- Associated injuries
what are the Rules of 2 for Trauma Radiographs?
- 2 views, at 90° to each other (often AP & lateral, but others possible, sometimes obliques)
- 2 joints (above and below)
- 2 bones (if appropriate – e.g. radius and ulna, tibia and fibula)
- 2 occasions (e.g. for scaphoid # which may not show up on initial X-ray, but may be evident 7-14 days later)
when describing a fracutre, how is the site described?
SIDE (RIGHT / LEFT ! – clear & consistently correct)
LIMB
BONE(S)
REGION
ARTICULAR INVOLVEMENT:
- Intra-articular
- +/- Dislocation / Subluxation
- Ligamentous avulsion
- Epiphyseal (in children if epiphyseal injury)
whata re the different sites a fracture can occur? (on a femur)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/314/664/180/a_image_thumb.png?1592924807)
what is shown here?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/314/664/342/q_image_thumb.png?1592924832)
Left is AP of the elbow, right elbow
Inner side of right elbow in right picture
Olecranon fracture
what are the different shapes (configuration)of a fracture?
TRANSVERSE (usually due to direct trauma/blow)
OBLIQUE (usually due to a bending moment of force)
SPIRAL (always due to a rotational force)
COMPLEX (combination of forces, often causing comminution +++)
what shape of fracture is shown here?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/314/665/310/q_image_thumb.png?1592925364)
TRANSVERSE (usually due to direct trauma/blow)
AP
Straight
Child due to growth plate
tibia
what shape of fracture is shown here?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/314/665/334/q_image_thumb.png?1592925435)
OBLIQUE (usually due to a bending moment of force with slight rotation)
Slightly squint
what shape of fracture is shown here?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/314/665/385/q_image_thumb.png?1592925467)
SPIRAL (always due to a rotational force)
Rotates its way up
Spiral fracture
One part of tibia overlapping another
what shape of fracture is shown here?
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/314/665/429/q_image_thumb.png?1592925504)
COMPLEX (combination of forces, often causing comminution +++)
A lot of bits
Maybe 8 different bits of bone
High velocity injuries normally