MSK Injuries Flashcards
difference between strain vs sprain
- strain: Injury involving the muscle or muscle-tendon unit
- sprain: Trauma to the ligaments that connect bones of a joint
MC strain
Distal muscle tendon junction injury MC
MC sprains
ankle, knee, and wrist during sports activities
strains are MC in muscles attached to ?
2 joints
MOA of strain
Forceful eccentric loading of the muscle
Ex: running, jumping, kicking
MOA of sprain
Joint is overextended; ligament is overstretched
ligament sprain is uncommon in what pt demographic? (2)
why?
children and older adults
They have weaker bones = avulsion or growth plate fractures
RF for strains and sprains (9)
- poor ergonomics
- environment
- increased age w/ reduced physical activity
- deconditioned or unstretche muscles
- specific activities
- overuse
- body habitus
- fatigue
- previous injury
Pts often report a popping, snapping, or tearing sensation at the time of the event
followed by pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty bearing weight/reduced ability to use the extremity involved
Bruising + discoloration may appear within 24-48 hours
hx of what dx?
strains & sprains
- Asymmetric swelling, tenderness, and ecchymosis of injured area
- Visible and/or palpable defect may be seen/felt
- Pain with active and passive flexion of the muscle
- Loss of active muscle contraction to move joint→ complete rupture of the muscle
PE of what dx?
muscle strain
- Asymmetric swelling, tenderness, and ecchymosis of injured area
- Pain with active and passive ROM
- Joint instability/laxity
- Special tests may be beneficial
PE of what dx?
ligament sprain
muscle strain grading
- Grade 1: Tear of a few muscle fibers (< 10%), fascia intact
- Grade 2: Tear of moderate amount of muscle fibers (10-50%), fascia intact
- Grade 3: Tear of most/all fibers (50-100%), fascia intact
- Grade 4: Tear of all muscle fibers (100%), fascia disrupted
ligament sprain grading
- Grade 1: Mild; a tear of only a few fibers of the ligament; no joint instability
- Grade 2: Moderate; partial tear of the ligament; some laxity with stress maneuvers
- Grade 3: Severe; complete tear of the ligament; joint laxity with stress maneuvers
how to dx strains/sprains
- Most often clinical
- Labs and imaging are usually not necessary - X-ray if high concern for fracture
indications for XR for strains/sprains
- Positive “Ottawa Ankle Rules”
- Can be generalized to other joints - Worsening pain/swelling with appropriate management
- Persistent pain/swelling after 7-10 days of appropriate management
ottawa ankle rules for ankle sprains
- pain at the medial malleolus or along distal 6cm of posterior/medial tibia
- pain at lateral malleolus or along distal 6cm of posterior fibula
- inability to bear wt immediately and for 4 consecutive steps in ER
ottawa ankel rules for foot sprains
- pain in midfoot and at base of 5th metatarsal
- pain in midfoot and at navicular bone
- inability to bear wt immediately and for 4 consecutive steps in ER
which dx modality is used to confirm or grade strains/sprains?
indications?
MRI
- suspected rupture or severe pain
- surgical intervention is likely
Healing process is divided into 4 phases:
strains + sprains
- hemostasis
- inflammatory
- proliferative
- maturation
- Onset → immediately after injury
- Platelets aggregate and release cytokines, chemokines, and hormones
- Vasoconstriction - limits bleeding into affected area = temp skin blanching
- Clot formation occurs
which phase of healing process
hemostasis
- Onset → immediately after injury
- Results from tearing of the myofibers, ligament fibers, and microvasculature
- Bleeding and necrosis of the soft tissue = inflammatory cascade
- Homeostasis of fluid balance is disrupted resulting in swelling
- Capillaries dilate and become more permeable → increase in blood transmission into the extravascular space (bruising) & increase in the concentration of local inflammatory mediators
which phase of healing process?
how long does this last?
Inflammatory/Destruction Phase (0-72 hrs post injury)
- Granulation tissue is formed - Collagen deposition occurs
- Neovascularization occurs at the injury, supporting tissue healing
- Inflammatory mediators are reduced
which phase of the healing process?
how long does this last?
Proliferative/Reparative/Fibroblastic Phase (72 hrs - 3 wks)
Collagen and myofibers increase in number, strength, and organization
which phase of healing process?
how long does this last?
Maturation/Remodeling Phase (3 wks - 2 yrs)
management goals during Hemostasis / Inflammatory Phase (day 0-3)
→ Protection / compression of the injured area and rest
→ Control pain and swelling = ICE!
management goals during reparative phase (day 3 - wk 3)
→ Continued protection with pain and swelling control
→ Full AROM
→ Progressive muscular strength, endurance and power
management goals during maturation phase (wk 3 - 2 yrs)
→ Maintenance of ROM and flexibility
→ Increased muscular strength, endurance and power
→ Increased speed and agility
management for strains+sprains
-
Surgical repair - for complete tears
- Refer if joint instability, failure of conservative therapy, neurovascular compromise - Pain - NSAIDS 1st line
- Opioids based on severity of pain/injury -
PRICE
- Weight-bearing, ROM exercise, and strength training should begin
- Consider a referral to PT
components of PRICE
indicated in the inflammatory phase of healing
- Protection → Padding, slings, braces, ACE wraps, air splint
- Rest → No additional force should be applied; avoid weight bearing
- Ice → ASAP to reduce pain and swelling through vasoconstriction
- Compression → ACE to limit swelling
- Elevation → ideally “above the heart”
how long to ice for PRICE?
CI?
avoid what during this phase?
- 15-20 min q2-3h for first 48 hrs
- CI: Raynaud’s, PVD, impaired sensation, cold allergy/hypersensitivity, severe cold induced urticaria
- Heat should be avoided during this phase; avoid direct contact with skin with ice
MOA of overuse syndrome
- Repetitive motions, stresses, or sustained exertion of that body part
- Repetitive microtrauma to the muscle or tendon leading to an acute or chronic degenerative state
overuse syndrome is presented MC in who?
athletes
The sport may lead to your dx
extrinsic causes of overuse syndrome
- Repetitive mechanical load - Increased duration, frequency, increased intensity, technique errors
- Equipment problems - Poor footwear, racquet size, running surface
instrinsic causes of overuse syndrome
- Anatomic factors - Malalignment, inflexibility, muscle weakness, muscle imbalance, decreased vascularity
- Age-Related Factors - Tendon degeneration, decreased healing response, increased tendon stiffness
- Systemic Factors - Inflammatory disorders, quinolone-induced tendinopathy
presentation of overuse syndrome
-
Pain, muscle fatigue, numbness, swelling
- Sx tend to develop and slowly progress over time
- Pain may be localized to tendinous insertion and exacerbated by muscle stretch or contraction
w/u for overuse syndrome?
findings?
- H&P is crucial to dx
- PE: muscle testing, ROM, and special testing if indicated
-
Diagnostic testing
- Radiograph - calcification or spur formation of the tendon at insertion site
- Bone scans and MRI’s - Stress fractures, osseous pathology
- NCS/EMG’s - if neurologic s/s
management for overuse synrome
- Most are mild and will resolve spontaneously
- Avoidance of the activity that led to syndrome
- Pain management → ice/heat, NSAIDS, corticosteroid injections
- PT - home exercise programs
- OT - workplace modifications
- Referral to Ortho if conservative tx fails
Thick outer layer that contains vessels, nerve endings and cells that repair fractures
periosteum
Inner lining of the marrow cavity
endosteum
Contains the epiphyseal plate (growth plate/physis)
Very vascular and prone to infection and fractures
epiphysis
Consists of spongy, cancellous bone
Most susceptible to compression fractures
Metaphysis
Thick cortical bone
Provides most of the structural support of the long bone
Diaphysis
Defined as disruption in the continuity or structural integrity of a bone
fractures