MSK (Final) Flashcards
Fractures
• breaks in the rigid structure of bone
• most common traumatic MSK disorder
• classified based on direction of fracture line, number of fracture lines, etc.
Primary causes of fractures
falls
motor vehicle accidents
sports related injuries
Secondary causes of fractures
conditions that weaken the bone (osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, bone cancer)
Simple fracture
a single break with bone ends maintaining their alignment and position
Transverse fracture
straight across the bone shift
Oblique fracture
at an angle to the bone shaft
Spiral fracture
twists around the bone shift
Comminuted fracture
multiple fracture lines and bone pieces
Greenstick fracture
an incomplete break in which the bone is bent and only the outer curve of the bend is broken
commonly occurs in children because of minimal calcification, and often heals quickly
Compression fracture
bone is crushed or collapses into small pieces
Complete fracture
broken into 2+ separate pieces
Open/Compound fracture
skin is broken, bone fragments/edges may be angled and protrude out of the skin
causes more damage to soft tissue and increases risk for infection
Closed fracture
skin is intact
Impacted fracture
one end of the bone is forced into adjacent bone
Pathologic fracture
results from a weakness in the bone structure secondary to conditions such as tumors or osteoporosis
Stress/fatigue fracture
occurs from repeated excessive stress
common in the tibia, femur, and metatarsals
Depressed fracture
occurs in the skull when the broken piece is forced inward on the brain
Fracture healing
- hematoma (blood clot) forms
- necrosis of broken bone ends occurs from blood vessel damage
- fibroblasts invade the clot within a few days
- fibroblasts secrete collagen fibers, which form a mass of cells and fibers called a callus
- callus bridges the broken bone ends together inside and outside over 2-6 weeks
- osteoblasts invade the callus and slowly convert it to bone from 3 weeks to several months (usually 4-6 weeks)
Fracture complications
• delayed union, malunion, nonunion (may occur due to poor nutrition, inadequate blood supply, malalignment, premature weight bearing)
• compartment syndrome
Compartment syndrome
a serious condition that results from increased pressure in a compartment, usually the muscle fascia in the case of fractures
pressure impinges on the nerves and blood vessels present within compartment, potentially compromising the distal extremity
requires prompt identification and treatment to prevent permanent tissue damage
Compartment syndrome manifestations
• excruciating pain that is beyond what would be expected given the injury
• 6 P’s (pain, parasthesia, poikilothermia (inability to regulate temp), pallor, paralysis, pulselessness)
Fatembolism (fracture complication)
fat enters the bloodstream, usually after a long bone fracture (outcome can be fatal if emboli travel to vital organs)
M: hypoxemia, neurological dysfunction, petechia on head or trunk
PREVENTION=EARLY IMMOBILIZATION OF FRACTURE
Osteomyelitis (fracture complication)
infection of bone tissue
can take months to resolve and result in bone or tissue necrosis
Osteonecrosis/Avascular necrosis (fracture complication)
death of bone tissue due to loss of blood supply
can result from displaced fractures or dislocations
Route of infection to joint (osteomyelitis)
- hematogenous route
- dissemination from osteomyelitis
- spread from adjacent soft tissue damage
- diagnostic or therapeutic measures
- penetrating damage by puncture or cutting
Fracture manifestations
• deformity (angulation, shortening, rotation)
• swelling and tenderness at the site
• inability to move affected limb
• CREPITUS!!!
• pain
• parasthesia
• muscle flaccidity progressing to spasms
Dislocations
separation of two bones at a joint
may be complete or partial (subluxation)
most common in shoulder and clavicle joints
causes deformity, immobility, and damage to nearby ligaments and nerves
Causes of dislocations
• sudden impact to the joint
• congenital conditions
• pathologic states (arthritis, ligament injuries, paralysis, neuromuscular disease)
Dislocation manifestations
• visibly out of place, discolored or deformed joint
• limited movement
• swelling/bruising
• intense pain, especially with movement or weight bearing
• paresthesia near the injury
Sprains
injury to a ligament that often involve stretching/tearing
severity described using a grading scale
most common in the ankle and knee
CAUSES: forcing a joint into unnatural position (twisting ones ankle)