Lecture 2 , Pt 3 - Terminology, Landmarks & Skeletal System Flashcards
What is a fracture? How caused?
A break in a bone caused by low Vit D, low bone density, trauma
Impact of bone fracture?
Can damage blood vessels supplying bone and surrounding nerves
Type of fractures?
Complete - broken through completely
Incomplete - bone is fractured but not into fragments
Can be linear ie along the bone length or transverse ie dissect across the bone
Avulsion - where the bone comes away from the tendon or ligament
How does a fracture repair?
Haematoma (and inflammation) - blood vessels are broken at the site and blood leaks to the site. Causes local death of cells and some swelling
Fibrocartilginous callus formation - Phagocytes clean up the debris. Fibroblasts invade and lay down collagen forming a soft callus - 2-3 weeks
Bony callus formation - osteoblasts replace soft callus with new bone - up to 3 months
Bone remodelling - callus is mineralised and compact bone laid down. Osteoclasts reshape the new bone. Remodelling occurs over months to years
Fractures - Treatment?
Address the cause - ie any nutritional defic, check if osteoporosis is present, improve circulation and nutrients to the bone to aid repair
Creams and ointments can be effective - get absorbed to area
Herbs - comfrey, gotu kola
Nutrients - calcium, vit d, vit c
Homeopathic - arnica for bruising, ruta for injured nerves. Calc phos 4c should be given for 2 weeks to help fuse bones together
What is a Sprain?
A trauma that forces the joint beyond its normal range - over-straining / tearing ligaments
Treatment for sprains?
RICE - rest, ice, compression, elevation
Herbs - locally and internally - tissue repair eg comfrey, manual therapy and rehab
Nutrients - glucosamine, Vit C, zinc, Vit E
Homeopathy - eg arnica, ruta and acupuncture
What is subluxation?
Incomplete or partial dislocation
What is dislocation?
Full separation of two bone at a joint
Impact of dislocation?
Reduced strength in the area
Possible compromised joint
High risk of reoccurrence
Common areas of dislocation?
Shoulder and knee (patella).
May be accompanied by damage to soft tissues, nerves and blood vessels
When use X-ray?
To visualise skeletal system. teeth, heart and lungs
How X-rays work?
They pass though dens matter (air, fat, muscle and other tissue) but are absorbed and scattered by denser materials eg bone, tumours, lungs affected by severe pneumonia, appearing white
What else can be detected by X-ray?
Blood clots (thromboses can also be detected by X-ray, due to accumulation of RBCs (and hence iron)
What are the adverse effects of x-rays?
Cancer (induces DNA damage / genetic mutations)
What is a hyper-kyphotic spine? How caused?
Rounded forwarded eg rounded shoulders
Poor posture due to work, stress, body language, as a result of a disease eg osteoporotic spinal fractures
What are the likely effects of Kyphosis?
Muscular fatigue around the scapula, irritation of rib joints, may interfere with breathing
What is Lordosis?
An increased concavity in the spine
Cause of Lordosis?
Genetic / ethnic cause eg afro-caribbean women
Secondary to other muscoskeletal changes
More common in obese people
Is a normal adaption during pregnancy
Effect of Lordosis?
Muscular fatigue
Encourages vertebral joints to move closer together causing inflamation
What is Scoliosis?
A lateral S Shaped curve in spine
How does Scoliosis come about?
Can be born with it or develop it through out life often adolescent onset
Can develop as a result of everyday imbalances eg carrying a rucksack on one shoulder
Also common with leg length discrepancies
Impact of Scoliosis?
Can cause spinal nerve compression
What is osteoporosis?
Progressive thinning of bone
Due to decreased bone density leading to bone fragility