Intro to Ortho and Fracture Fixation Methods - Betance Flashcards
Definition of a Fracture
complete or incomplete break in the continuity of bone or cartilage
Goal of fracture repair
the early return of the patient to full funciton of the limb
How many methods of fracture classification are there?
six
Methods of Classification:
- direction of the fracture on the bone
- location of the fracture on the bone
- reducible or non-reducible
- displacement of fracture segments
- open or closed fracture
- specific types of factures
What is a comminuted fracture?
More than 2 pieces of bone
What is a long oblique fracture
if length of oblique fracture is >2x diameter of the bone
Who/where does Salter Harris fractures commonly occur?
Young animals at the growth plate
SH Type I
Straight Across
SH Type II
Above
SH Type III
Lower or beLow
SH Type IV
Two or Through
SH Type V
ERasure of growth plate or
Basic definition of Open fracture
at some point developed communication with external environment
Basic definition of Closed fracture
No communication with the external environment
Open Fracture Type I
- bone penetrating thru skin
- laceration < 1cm
- Clean
Open Fracture Type II
- External object penetrates soft tissue
- laceration > 1cm
- mild soft tissue trauma
Open Fracture Type IIIa
- vast soft tissue laceration
- soft tissue available for closure
Open Fracture Type IIIb
- extensive soft tissue injury and loss
- bone exposure and stripped periosteum
Open Fracture Type IIIc
- arterial supply damaged
- requires arterial repair for limb salvage
What is the number one cause of direct insult fractures
Over 75% are HBC
What is an indirect insult?
Force transmitted through bone to distant point (like the femoral neck, tibial tuberosity)
What does reduction mean?
reestablishing normal alignment of fracture fragments
Closed reduction:
reducing a fracture without surgically exposing the fractured bones
What does performing a closed reduction accomplish?
- preserves soft tissue and blood supply
- decreases risk of infection and OR time
What are some indications for performing a closed reduction?
- closed fracture below elbow or stifle
- bone will be stable after reduction
- quickly healing fracture
- small dogs/cats
- greenstick, intact periosteal sleeve, impaction fxs
What is an open reduction?
surgical approach to expose fracture in order to reconstruct and stabilize
What does an open reduction accomplish?
- direct visualization of fx to facilitate reconstruction
- allows direct placement of implant and load sharing
Indications for open reduction
- unstable and displaced fractures
- articular surfaces
- delayed healing
- bone grafts
What are the Rules for Open Reduction
- Halstead’s principles
- follow normal separations between muscles and fascial planes
- if muscles need to be severed, do it near origins or insertions
- preserve soft tissue and blood supply
Things about Transverse Fractures
- stable in compression
- unstable in bending
- unstable in rotation
- ideal for load sharing