MSK Flashcards
What is ossification? How does it progress?
Conversion of cartilage into bone - hardening cartilage into bone
Progressed outward from diaphysis
When does ossification being? End?
Begins in embryo
Continues until 18-21 years old
What is bone made up of in infancy?
Cartilage
What are the pediatric differences in MSK system?
Weaker d/t cartilage
Presence of growth plate
Thicker periosteum (increase BF)
High osteogenic potential
What is another name for growth plate? Where is it? Can it be seen? When does it close?
Epiphyseal plate
Between diaphysis and epiphysis
Seen on an xray
Open until puberty –> can’t grow anymore
What does an increase blood flow do for the bone?
Helps with injury and growth
How does high osteogenic potential impact the bone?
Bone is produced and produced and produced during done growth
Goal is to increase length of bone
Damaged bone can be more successfully healed and can fill gaps
What is the impact when a childs bone is weaker d/t cartilage?
More breaks
Bones can bend instead of break (usually heal on own d/t osteogenic potential)
What is the healing period for a neonate? Early childhood? Later childhood? Adolescence? Adult?
Neonate: 2-3 weeks
Early childhood: 4 weeks
Later childhood: 6-8 weeks
Adolescent: 8-12 weeks
Adults: 10-16 weeks
What are the diagnostics for MSK?
Radiogrpahy (xray)
Arthrography
Bone scan
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Joint aspiration
What lab values may be altered with a bone injury?
ESR
CRP
Alkaline phos
Creatinine kinase
What are the causes of fractures? (6)
Trauma
Falls
MVA
Sport injuries
Abuse
Bone tumor
What puts an adolescent at risk for stress fractures?
Decrease calories and calcium
NEED to make sure have enough of this
What are the s/s of a fracture? (9)
Pain or tenderness at site
Immobility or decreased ROM
Deformity of extremity
Edema
Crepitus
Ecchymosis
Erythema
Muscle spasm
Inability to bear weight
What is the weakest point of long bones? What does this cause?
Epiphyseal plate aka growth plate
Frequent site of injury
What is the injury goes all the way through degenerative cells of the epiphyseal plate? Treatment?
Most won’t but if they do it can cause serious damage to the epiphysis and plate and could result in shortening and deformity of limb
Treat with surgery and internal fixation to avoid shortening and deformity of limb
Why is X-ray not as useful in children?
Cartilage does not show up as easily so you might not be able to see a fracture –> missed fracture diagnosis
What are the reduction and fixation options?
Closed: manual alignment and immobilization
Open (ORIF): surgical insertion of internal fixation devices
What is retention? What does it do?
Application of cast or use of traction to immobilize
Keeps bone in place to realign it with ossification and healing