Lower Limb Fractures Flashcards

1
Q
A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How to pelvic fractures usually occur?

A

Usually secondary to massive force, such as a road traffic accident or fall from a height

May be associated with vascular, soft tissue and visceral injuries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

When are pelvic fractures considered stable vs unstable?

A

If the pelvic ring is broken in two places the fracture is likely to be unstable

Isolated ring fractures tend to be stable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How are acetabular fractures classified?

A

The Judet and Letournel system

Classified as either elementary fractures OR associated fractures (image shows elementary)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is indicated by the green and blue line?

What is the cinical significance?

A

iliopectineal line ➞ disruption indicates anterior column fracture

ilioischial line ➞ disruption indicates posterior column fracture

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the most common Acetabular fracture?

A

Posterior wall

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What radiographic landmark is shown below?

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the mechanism of injury of an anterior column fracture?

What other injuries are associated with this?

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the mechanism of injury of a posterior column fracture?

What other injuries are associated with this?

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is a Transverse fracture of the acetabulum?

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

List 4 muscles commonly involved in avulsion fractures of the lower limb (incl their attachments)

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

List 3 reasons we are concerned about a femoral head fracture

A
  1. Femoral head undergos transmission of most body weight
  2. Intra-articular bone only has a thin periosteum and no contact with soft tissues. This means the response to injury (callus formation) is weak
  3. Blood remains inside the joint capsule, increasing intracapsular pressure and further damaging the femoral head; synovial fluid hinders clotting

***

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

List the 3 types of intra vs extra capsular femoral neck fractures

(Hint: based on location)

A

Intra-capsular fracture

  • Subcapital: common
  • Transcervical: uncommon
  • Basicervical: uncommon

Extracapsular fracture

  • Intertrochanteric
  • Trochanteric
  • Subtrochanteric
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

An intracapsular fracture is also known as what?

In which age group is this particularly dangerous?

A

A high fracture of the neck of femur

This is a serious injury in the elderly patient

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why is an intracapsular fracture so dangerous?

A

Blood supply to NOF is retrograde (distal to proximal) along femoral neck to the femoral head. This is predominantly through the medial circumflex femoral artery

A displaced intra-capsular fracture disrupts the blood supply to the femoral head which can result in AVN

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

_____ is the most useful test for evaluating bony injury.

However, _____ fractures in the plane of the images can on occasion be missed with this imaging method

A

CT, axial

(This potential is decreased with the use of images reconstructed in orthogonal planes and newer multi- detector CT scanners)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the imaging modality of choice for detection of femoral neck fractures and why?

A

MRI

It is both sensitive and specific in detection of NOF#, because it shows both the actual fracture line and the resulting bone marrow edema

MRI is the most sensitive modality in detecting bone marrow changes related to AVN, even when radiographic findings are normal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

An extra-capsular fracture is also known as what?

How can these be classified?

A

Low fractures

classified as stable or unstable fractures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Compare union of an intracapsular vs extracapsular NOF fracture with reason

A

Intracapsular ➞ the proximal fragment often loses part of its blood supply and hence, the union of this fracture is difficult

Extracapsular ➞ blood supply to the proximal fragment is not interfered hence the fractures unite easily

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What deformity may be seen with an extracapsular NOF fracture?

How is this deformity defined?

A

While union is the rule, it is common to see these fractures mal-united with a coxa vara deformity

  • Normal neck shaft angle is ~115o
  • When angle is reduced to ~90o = Coxa Vara
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Compare a stable vs unstable extracapsular fracture

A

Stable Type: There is a single fracture line and it is a two piece fracture.

Unstable Type: This is a comminuted fracture with multiple fractures at the trochanteric level

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Compare the following regarding Intra vs Extracapsular fractures

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Femoral shaft fractures are described according to what 3 things?

A
  1. Location ➞ proximal, middle, and distal thirds
  2. Pattern ➞ comminuted, spiral, oblique, or transverse
  3. Degree of comminution
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Femoral fractures often present with multisystem trauma, what 3 things MUST we consider/evaluate with any fracture

A
  1. Amount of blood loss (do not underestimate)
  2. Compartment syndrome, rare but important
  3. Fat embolism syndrome (FES) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

How long following a fracture does FES usually occur?

A

Typically 24-72 hours after the traumatic event

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is the classic triad associated with FES?

A
  1. Respiratory changes ➞ fat emboli damage small vessel perfusion with resulting damage to the pulmonary vascular bed
  2. Neurological abnormalities ➞ cerebral embolism
  3. Petechial rash ➞ embolization of small dermal capillaries
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What type of hip dislocation is most common?

A

Posterior dislocation, 90%

28
Q

In a posterior hip dislocation, where does the femoral head lie anatomically?

A

Femoral head lateral and superior to the acetabulum

29
Q

What two other injuries may be associated with a posterior hip dislocation?

A
  1. Posterior rim of acetabulum is usually fractured
  2. Sciatic nerve injury (10%)
30
Q

In an anterior hip dislocation, where does the femoral head lie anatomically?

A

Femoral head displaced into the obturator, pubic, or iliac region

31
Q

In an Internal hip dislocation, where does the femoral head lie anatomically?

What fracture is ALWAYS associated with this dislocation?

A

Femoral head protrudes into pelvic cavity

Always associated with acetabular fracture

32
Q

What is the name given to Tibia plateau fractures?

Are these due to direct or indirect trauma?

A

Bumper Fracture - due to direct trauma

33
Q

What are the 3 locations of a tibia plateau fractures?

How common is each?

A
  1. Lateral plateau fracture (80%) is more common because most trauma results from valgus force
  2. Medial plateau fractures (10%)
  3. Combined medial and lateral fractures (10%)
34
Q

What classification system is used for Tibia plateau fractures and explain each?

A

Schatzker Classification (orthobullets - slide info on image)

I ➞ Lateral split fracture

II ➞ Lateral Split-depressed fracture

III ➞ Lateral Pure depression fracture

IV ➞ Medial plateau fracture

V ➞ Bicondylar fracture

VI ➞ Metaphyseal-diaphyseal disassociation

35
Q

Why may plain films not be best for tibial plateau fractures?

What is often used instead?

A

Fractures of tibial plateau may not be obvious; plain films often underestimate the true extent of fractures and therefore a CT is often necessary

36
Q

What may be visible on a cross-table lateral view of a tibia plateau fracture?

A

Fat-fluid interface sign OR Fat-blood interface sign (FBI)

Fat (marrow)-fluid (blood) interface sign (hemarthrosis)

37
Q

What type of tibia plateau fracture is shown below?

A

Type I

38
Q

What type of tibia plateau fracture is shown below?

A

Type II

39
Q

What type of tibia plateau fracture is shown below?

A

Type III

40
Q

What type of tibia plateau fracture is shown below?

A

Type IV

41
Q

What type of tibia plateau fracture is shown below?

A

Type V

42
Q

What type of tibia plateau fracture is shown below?

A

Type VI

43
Q

What is an avulsion fracture?

How does it manifest radiologically?

A

An avulsion fracture involves the detachment of a bone fragment that results from the pulling away of a ligament from its point of attachment on a bone

This type of injury often manifests radiographically as a tiny osseous fragment located adjacent to the expected attachment site of ligament

44
Q

What is a Segond Fracture?

What is its mechanism of injury?

A

A small cortical avulsion fracture of proximal lateral tibial rim just distal to lateral plateau

Mechanism: external rotation + excessive tension on the lateral capsular ligament

45
Q

A Segond Fracture is associated with what 2 other injuries

A
  1. lesion of anterior cruciate ligament (75-100%)
  2. meniscal tear (67%)
46
Q

What are the 4 types of Patellar fractures we can have?

Highlight which is the most common

A
  1. Vertical fracture
  2. Transverse (most common)
  3. Comminuted
  4. Avulsed
47
Q

List 3 ways we can differentiate a multipartite patella from a fractured patella?

A
  1. Bipartite or multipartite patella is typically located at the superolateral margin of the patella
  2. Individual bones of a bipartite or multipartite patella do not fit together as do the fragments of a patellar fracture
  3. The edges of bipartite or multipartite patella are well corticated
48
Q

Revise ligaments of the ankle

A
49
Q

What 3 ligaments support/form the ankle syndesmosis?

A

Anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL)

Posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL)

Transverse ligament

50
Q

What classification system is used for Ankle fractures?

Explain this

A

Weber A, B, C

A ➞ fibular# below the syndesmosis, which is intact

B ➞ fibular# at the level of syndesmosis (trans-syndesmotic) Usually partial or less commonly total rupture of the syndesmosis

C ➞ fibular# above the syndesmosis. Usually a total rupture of the syndesmosis, and consequently instability of the ankle mortise

51
Q

What is the importance of X-rays and classification of Ankle fractures?

A

Management decisions are based on the interpretation of the AP and lateral X-rays

Classification of ankle fractures is important in order to estimate the extent of the ligamentous injury and the stability of the joint

52
Q

What is the medial and lateral clear space (radiographic measures)?

What value is abnormal and what is its clinical significance?

A

MCS = space between lateral edge of medial malleolus and medial side of talus. >4mm is abnormal, prediction of deltoid ligament injury

LCL = space between medial border of fibula to lateral border of posterior tibia 1cm above the tibial plafond. Widening >5-6mm is abnormal, indicates syndesmotic rupture

53
Q

The ankle can be thought of as a ‘ring’, explain this and its relevance to stability of the rupture

A

If the ring is broken in one place the ring remains stable

When it is broken in two places, the ring is unstable and may dislocate

When both the medial and the lateral malleoli are fractured it is unstable

54
Q

Describe a type A webber fracture in terms of:

  1. location
  2. mechanism
  3. other associated injuries
  4. prognosis
A
55
Q

Describe a type B webber fracture in terms of:

  1. location
  2. mechanism
  3. other associated injuries
  4. prognosis
A
56
Q

Describe a type C webber fracture in terms of:

  1. location
  2. mechanism
  3. other associated injuries
  4. prognosis
A
57
Q

What fracture is shown below?

A

Webber C?

58
Q

What fracture type is shown below?

A

Webber C?

59
Q
A
60
Q

What fracture is seen below and what is its most common mechanism of injury?

A

Calcaneal Fracture (60% of all tarsal fractures)

Results from axial load (e.g., fall from height)

61
Q

List 3 Radiographic features of a calcaneal fracture

A
  1. Decreased Boehler’s angle < 20h (normal Boehler’s angle does not exclude fracture)
  2. 75% are intraarticular (subtalar joint), 10% are bilateral
  3. May be associated with lumber fractures ???
62
Q

What is Boehler’s angle?

A

Angle between upper border of the calcaneal tuberosity and a line between the anterior and posterior articulating facets

  • Normal value = 20°-40°
  • A value < 20° = calcaneal fracture

BUT a decreased Böhler angle may normal and a normal Boehler’s angle does not exclude a calcaneal fracture

63
Q

What type of fracture is shown below?

What is this fracture also known as?

A

Transverse fracture at base of 5th metatarsal distal to metatarsal tuberosity > 1.5 cm from proximal tip

“Dancer’s fracture”

64
Q

????

A
65
Q

What is apophysis of the proximal 5th metatarsal?

A

Apophysis of 5th MT base appears on plain radiographs at age 12 for boys and 10 for girls.

Fusion of apophysis to the MT base usually occurs within the following 2-4 years

Do NOT confuse fracture with Apophysis (image)