MSK Flashcards
What is the medical word for knock-kneed?
Genu Valgum
What is the medical word for bow legged?
Genu Varum
True or False: Genu varus is typically a normal condition and only requires reassurance?
True
What is the word for growth plate?
Physeal or Physis
What is the metaphysis (or metaphyseal)?
End of the long bone adjacent to the growth plate or physis.
What separates the epiphysis from the metaphysis?
Growth plate (physis)… in adults the metaphysis is no longer separated from the rest of the long bone
What is varus or varum?
When the distal part of the deformity points towards the midline
What is valgus or valgum?
When the distal part of the deformity points away from the midline
What is the epiphysis (or epiphyseal)?
Rounded end of a long bone
*During development it is separated from the long bone… once growth plate closes it is part of the long bone
When is intervention required for genu varus?
With abnormal findings…
- Unilateral
- Worsens after age 1
- Doesn’t resolve after age 2
What XR findings would indicate need for intervention in genu valgum?
Physeal and epiphyseal distortion
If genu varus is present after age 2 what things should you consider?
More significant causes..
- Rickets
- Blount’s disease
Where is the pathology in Blount’s disease?
- Proximal tibial physis
2. Epiphysis
Who is infantile Blount’s disease seen in?
African Americans
What disease is it important to not confuse infantile Blount’s disease with?
Rickets (Both occur more frequently in African Americans)
Why does rickets occur more frequently in African Americans?
Due to decreased absorption of UV light
What is treatment for infantile Blount’s disease?
No treatment needed
How can you tell between Rickets and Blount’s disease?
If it’s Rickets they will refer to other signs of the disease
Who do you usually see adolescent Blount’s disease in?
African Americans, overweight
What is the treatment for adolescent Blount’s disease?
Bracing, surgery… something needs done
What is a type 1 Salter Harris fracture?
Separation of the epiphysis and metaphysis (fracture is directly through the physis)
True or False: Type 1 Salter Harris fractures aren’t seen on XR?
True- XR may be negative (tenderness may be your only sign)
What is the treatment for a type 1 Salter Harris fracture?
Casting for 2-3 weeks
What is a type 2 Salter Harris fracture?
A piece of the metaphysis splits as well as some physis (Above)
What is done for Salter Harris type 2 fracture?
Closed reduction casting for 3-6 weeks
What is a type 3 Salter Harris fracture?
Through the growth plate, extending through the epiphysis (Lower)
What is treatment for a type 3 Salter Harris fracture?
Open reduction
Which is worse, a type 2 or 3 Salter Harris fracture?
Type 3 because it goes through epiphysis into the joint space
What is a type 4 Salter Harris fracture?
Cracks through all layers (epiphysis, metaphysis, and physis)
What is treatment for a type 4 Salter Harris fracture?
Reduction in OR to avoid growth disruption
What is a type 5 Salter Harris fracture?
Crush type injury/compression fracture
Which type of Salter Harris fracture results in microvascular compromise?
Type 5
What is the prognosis for a Type 5 Salter Harris fracture?
High rate of poor growth after the injury
What usually causes a greenstick fracture?
Fall on an outstretched hand
What is the name for a cortical break on one side of the bone and intact periosteum on the opposite side?
Greenstick fracture
*Break isn’t through the bone…one side is broken and the other is bent
What is the mnemonic for Salter Harris fractures?
S: Straight through physis (separated) A: Above growth plate L: Lower- through lower portion T: Totally through metaphysis, growth plate, and epiphysis R: cRush- compression fracture
How is osteogenesis imperfecta type 1 inherited?
AD
Which type of osteogenesis imperfecta has blue sclera?
1
When do fractures occur in osteogenesis imperfecta?
Preschool years (they are rarely born with fractures)
Besides fractures, what is considered to be a major feature of osteogenesis imperfecta type 1?
Hearing loss (conductive and sensorineural)
What is the most severe form of osteogenesis imperfecta?
2- Usually lethal
How is osteogenesis imperfecta type 2 inherited?
Dominant new mutation or germinal mossaicism
How do children with osteogenesis imperfecta type 2 present?
Born with multiple fractures- described as a bag of bones appearance
Which type of osteogensis imperfecta are usually stillborn are rarely live past the neonatal period?
Type 2
True or False: If a child has made it past infancy they cannot have osteogenesis imperfecta type 2?
True
In osteogenesis imperfecta type 2, what is the size of the head in relation to the rest of the body?
Head is large in proportion to the rest of the body
What type of osteogenesis imperfecta is known as the progressive deforming type?
3
How do kids with osteogenesis imperfecta type 3 present?
Born with fractures- deformities are progressive
What are the eye findings with osteogenesis imperfecta type 3?
Born with gray sclerae that lighten over time
Besides fractures and gray sclerae, what are 2 other characteristics of osteogenesis imperfecta type 3?
Macrocephly and short stature
What is it called when a defect exits in germinal cells but not in regular somatic cells?
Germinal mosaicism
What does germinal mosaicism mean in terms of inheritance?
A trait can be transmitted as a dominant trait, but appear to be recessive since it isn’t an expressed phenotype in the parents… (defect in germinal cells, but not in regular somatic cells)
Describe osteogenesis imperfecta type 4
Similar to type 1, but sclerae are white (not blue)
What type of torticollis usually results from positioning or trauma?
Muscular
What is paroxysmal torticollis?
Migraine variant (may even manifest in infants)
How does paroxysmal torticollis present?
Repeated attacks of head tilting, only last for minutes at a time. Often accompanied by vomiting, irritability, and pallor
What is done for paroxysmal torticollis?
Nothing
What cause of torticollis is obviously present from birth and diagnoseable by XR?
Vertebral anomalies
Head tilt (torticollis) in addition to upper motor neuron findings (like increased DTRs)…?
Posterior fossa tumor
What cause of torticollis requires an MRI to diagnose?
Posterior fossa tumor
Name 3 descriptors that make you think congenital torticollis
- Infant with head tilted to one side
- Infant with mass in SCM muscle (bleeding into this after birth)
- Infant with facial asymmetry
What is treatment for congenital torticollis?
Daily stretching and PT… if this isn’t done or doesn’t work after one year, surgical intervention is required
What other finding can congenital torticollis be associated with?
Hip dysplasia
What is due to fusion of the cervical vertebrae and may present as congenital torticollis?
Klippel-Feil syndrome
Name 8 findings seen in Klippel-Feil Syndrome
- Congenital torticollis (fusion of cervical vertebrae)
- Short neck
- Low occipital hairline
- Scoliosis
- Spina bifida
- Renal problems (missing one kidney)
- Sprengel deformity
- Deafness
What results from failure of the scapula to descend to its normal position during fetal development?
Sprengel deformity
How does Sprengel deformity mimic torticollis?
Affected side of neck (where scapula didn’t descend to normal position) will seem broader and shorter… thus mimics torticollis
How if the affected scapula in Spregnel deformity positioned?
Abnormally high and medially rotated
Name 5 risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip
- Breech
- Family history of DDH
- Female
- First born
- Oligohydramnios
Name 3 other conditions frequently associated with DDH
- Torticollis
- Metatarsus adductus
- Calcaneovalgus (club foot)
What is barlow exam?
Knees adducted with downward pressure to try to dislocate the hip
What is Ortolani exam?
Attempt to relocate a dislocated femoral head
After what age are the Ortolani and Barlo maneuvers not reliable?
3 months
After 3 months of age what is the most common sign of DDH?
Limitations in hip abduction
Besides limitations in hip abduction what are 2 other findings you can see in kids over 3 months with DDH?
- Unequal knee height (Galeazzi sign)
2. Asymmetric gluteal folds
Which needs to be worked up, a hip click or a hip clunk?
Clunk
How is diagnosis of DDH made?
Real-time US with manipulation in first 4 months of life (by pelvic XR after this)
What is the treatment for DDH?
Pavlik harness (this is more reliable than double or triple diapers)
What position does the Pavlik harness hold the hips in?
Abduction, flexion, external rotation
True or False: You can use double diapers to treat DDH?
False: Ineffective- often applied to loose and don’t provide any degree of correction
What are 2 consequences in a child whose DDH wasn’t corrected?
Waddling gait or leg length discrepancy
What are 4 considerations in a kid with a waddling gait?
- Uncorrected DDH
- Rickets
- Legg-Calve-Perthes
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
Waddling gait and leg bowing?
Rickets
Waddling gait, limp, child around 7?
Legg-Calve-Perthes
Waddling gait, knee pain, overweight young adolescent?
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
What is the typical presentation of viral myositis?
Weakness and tenderness localized to a muscle
What muscle is common affected in viral myositis?
Calf
True or False: The neurological exam in viral myositis is unremarkable?
True
What lab marker will be elevated in viral myositis?
Creatinine kinase
What will be a common finding in the history for viral myositis?
Recent respiratory illness or influenza
What is the treatment for viral myositis?
No treatment necessary
What can present similarly to a viral myositis?
Metabolic myopathies (due to mitochondrial dysfunction)
How can you distinguish between viral myositis and metabolic myopathy?
In metabolic myopathies you will have rhabdomyolysis as well (described as dark urine)
What orthopedic problem will you have if they describe a recent URI, passive ROM, normal ESR, negative gram stain, and normal or slightly elevated temperature?
Toxic synovitis (post-infectious arthritis)
What is the usual cause of toxic synovitis?
Viral-
- Parvovirus B19
- Influenza
- Hepatitis B
- Rubella
- EBV
- Really any other virus
Kid with hip pain and flushing of the cheeks?
Parvovirus B19 (fifth disease)
Vague joint aches, otherwise well, got MMR several weeks ago, otherwise not been ill… most likely explanation for joint aches?
Post-infectious arthritis (MMR is live vaccine and rubella component can cause this)
What group is most likely to have post-infectious arthritis after MMR (from rubella component)?
Post-pubertal female
What is treatment for toxic synovitis?
Reassurance (no matter how severe pain is)
*Remember toxic synovitis is a diagnosis of exclusion after other more serious infections are ruled out
What age group typically gets septic arthritis?
Under 2
True or False: Septic arthritis is very serious and requires aggressive intervention
True
What typically causes septic arthritis?
Hematogenous spread
How does a kid with septic arthritis usually present?
- Fever
- Won’t walk or move the joint
- High WBC count
- High sed rate
- Positive gram stain
- Increased joint space on XR
- Joint is warm, red, swollen
- Child will fight you trying to touch or move it
True or False: US, CT, MRI, and bone scan are helpful to make the diagnosis of septic arthritis?
False- they are useful to rule out osteomyelitis, but won’t diagnose septic arthritis