Mini Symposium - Fractures Flashcards
Define an open fracture?
One with direct communication from the fracture to the outside
Describe the Gustilo grading
Based on energy, wound size, soft tissue damage
Type 1 - low energy, wound <1cm, clean
Type 2 - moderate soft tissue damage, <10cm, no soft tissue flap or avulsion
Type 3 - high energy, wound >10cm
How do we initially manage a open fracture? [3]
ABCDE
Remove gross contaminents, photograph, cover with saline swabs and stabilize the limb
Also tetanus and Abx prophylaxis
What would indicate you should do emergency (<6hrs) surgery for an open fracture? [4]
If:
- Patient is polytraumatised
- Occurred in a marine or farmyard environment (infection risk), gross contamination
- Neurovascular compromsie
- Compartment syndrome
How do we surgically manage an open fracture? [3]
- Debridement and fixation if viable or
- Amputate
+ Plasic surgery for skin coverage
How do we determine if muscle is viable for debridement and fixation? [4]
Check the 4 Cs:
- Colour
- Contraction
- Consistency
- Capacity to Bleed
Need for an amputation is scored by what factors? [4]
NB Its a dual consultant decision
- Limb Ischaemia
- Age
- Shock
- Injury mechanism (contamination/energy/complexity)
How do we manage a dislocation? [3]
Initial - Reduce and treat associated injuries
Surgery
Followed by physiotherapy for recurrent instability/stiffness
What are the most common shoulder dislocations?
Anterior mostly
Posterior is rarer but associated iwth fits and electric shocks
What are the most common elbow dislocations?
How would it appear?
Posterior, look for a very prominent olecranon
Whats the most common hip dislocations?
How would it appear?
Posterior
Leg short, flexed, internally rotated and adducted
Whats the most common knee dislocation?
How would it appear?
Anterior
look for extended knee and loss of normal contour
Whats the most common ankle dislocation?
How would it appear?
Lateral
Look for externally rotated ankle and prominent medial malleolus
Whats the most common way for the subtalar joint to dislocate?
How would it appear?
Laterally, look for the laterally displaced calcaneus
Describe 3 sub-stages of Type III open fracture according to Gustilo grading
IIIA - soft tissue damage but not grossly contaminated
IIIB - periosteal stripping, extensive muscle damage, heavy contamination
IIIC - associated neuromuscular complication
Reasons for fractures [3]
High energy transfer
Repetitive stress
Low energy transfer
Delayed union
Definition: failure to heal in expected time
Factors that turn off bone healing [4]
Infection
Steroids
Immunosuppressed
Smoking
Causes of delayed union [5]
Distraction osteogenesis Instability Warfarin NSAID Ciprofloxacin
3 ways to deal with delayed unions
Different fixation
Dynamisation
Bone grafting
Stress fracture
Small linear fractures as a result of repeated stress
Complex fracture
multiple types of fractures occurring at one site
Features of non-union (failure to heal) [6]
Pain and tenderness Failure of calcification of fibrocartilage Instability Abundant callus formation Persistent fracture line Sclerosis
2 aims in treating fractures
Relieving pain
Restoring function