Lecture 15 10/31/24

Question 1

What is the definition of orthopedic surgery?

Answer 1

any procedure used to:
-stabilize bone fractures
-explore and stabilize joints
-replace joints
-repair tendon/ligament injuries
-stablize spinal column
-decompress spinal cord
-resect musculoskeletal tumors

Question 2

What is the importance of different fracture patterns?

Answer 2

-structures are elastic and will bend to a point
-will break in specific patterns based on the stress applied

Question 3

What are the key steps to orthopedic diagnosis?

Answer 3

-history and physical exam
-lameness/orthopedic examination
-confirmation with medical imaging

Question 4

Which orthopedic surgeries are considered urgent/emergent?

Answer 4

-open fractures
-infected tendon sheaths and joints

Question 5

Why is it important that most orthopedic surgeries are considered elective?

Answer 5

it allows for time for planning the repair

Question 6

Which imaging modalities are used to plan for orthopedic surgery?

Answer 6

-radiography
-computed tomography
-ultrasonography
-MRI
-scintigraphy

Question 7

What is a closed reduction?

Answer 7

fracture repair performed without a surgical exposure

Question 8

What is an open reduction?

Answer 8

fracture repair after a surgical approach to the bone

Question 9

What is a minimally invasive fracture repair?

Answer 9

insertion of orthopedic implant and surgical stabilization via skin incision of limited length

Question 10

What is reduction?

Answer 10

realignment of a fractured bone

Question 11

What is internal fixation?

Answer 11

open approach with the use of specific orthopedic implants to stabilize the fracture

Question 12

What is external fixation?

Answer 12

stabilization of a fracture by using transcortical pins connected externally

Question 13

What is cerclage wire?

Answer 13

orthopedic wire placed around the circumference of the bone to stabilize long, oblique fractures

Question 14

What is arthroscopy?

Answer 14

use of a camera to evaluate the joints

Question 15

What is malunion?

Answer 15

inadequate alignment of the bones at the completion of bone healing

Question 16

What is non-union?

Answer 16

cessation of bone healing over time

Question 17

What are some of the modern approaches to implants?

Answer 17

-software for implant selection
-3D printing of implants and fixtures

Question 18

What are the types of screws used for orthopedic procedures?

Answer 18

-cortical
-cancellous
-self tapping
-locking
-partially or fully threaded

Question 19

What are the types of plates used for orthopedic procedures?

Answer 19

-limited contact dynamic compression plate
-locking plates
-string of pearls
-reconstruction

Question 20

What are the shapes of plates used for orthopedic procedures?

Answer 20

-straight
-T plates
-L plates
-cobra head plates
-specialized plates for osteotomies

Question 21

What are the types of nails/pins used for orthopedic procedures?

Answer 21

-intramedullary
-transcortical

Question 22

What glove options can orthopedic surgeons use to prevent contamination of the surgery field?

Answer 22

-orthopedic gloves with increased thickness that protects against glove perforation
-double gloving to have an additional layer in the event of glove perforation

Question 23

What are the healing times for different orthopedic diseases?

Answer 23

fracture repair: 6 to 12 weeks
tendinopathies/desmitis: up to 6 months
joint diseases: 4 to 6 weeks

Question 24

What are the important steps to take for post-op orthopedic patients?

Answer 24

pain management using a multimodal approach
-rehabilitation program

Question 25

What are the characteristics of surgical site infections in orthopedic surgery?

Answer 25

-infection around the implants causes pain, lameness, and tenderness
-necessitates removal of the implant
-debridement also commonly done