MSK Pathology

Question 1

Closed fracture

Answer 1

Break in bone where skin over site remains intact

Question 2

Comminuted fracture

Answer 2

Bone breaks into fragments at the site of injury

Question 3

Compound fracture

Answer 3

Bone protrudes through skin

Question 4

Greenstick fracture

Answer 4

Break on one side of bone that doesn’t damage periosteum on the opposite side

Common in peds

Question 5

Nonunion fracture

Answer 5

Break in a bone that has failed to unite and heal after 9-12 months

Question 6

Spiral fracture

Answer 6

Break in bone shaped like an “S” due to torsion and twisting.

Question 7

DIP splint

Answer 7

For treating mallet finger, distal phalanx fracture, DIP joint arthritis

For mallet finger: DIP placed in neutral or slight hyperextension to allow for healing of damaged extensor tendon

Question 8

Ulnar gutter splint

Answer 8

Rigid splint that covers ulnar side of forearm/hand and fourth and fifth digits

Immobilizes metacarpals and phalanges following fx

MCP placed in 60-90 deg flexion
IP placed in full extension
Wrist in slight extension

Question 9

Radial gutter splint

Answer 9

Immobilizes metacarpals and phalanges following fx

MCP in 60-90 deg flex
IP full extension
Wrist in slight extension

Question 10

Thumb spica splint

Answer 10

Rigid splint that covers radial side of forearm/ hand and thumb.
May or may not allow IP motion

Used to immobilize wrist and MCP of thumb
Treating gamekeeper’s thumb, scaphoid fx, 1st metacarpal fx, de Quervain’s, etc.

Wrist in 20 deg extension
MCP slight flexion

Question 11

Volar/dorsal forearm splint

Answer 11

Extends from proximal forearm to metacarpal heads. Allows full elbow and MCP motion.

Immbolizes wrist - carpal fx, distal radius/ulna fx, wrist sprain, etc.

Positioning varies based on condition

Can also be used to improve grasp for patients with weakness - wrist in 20 deg extension (> tenodesis)

Question 12

Sugar tong splint

Answer 12

Covers wrist and elbow
Allows less motion than volar forearm splint b/c also prevents supination/pronation

Elbow in 90 deg flex, wrist and forearm in neutral

Common for carpal and distal radius/ulna fractures

Question 13

Long arm splint

Answer 13

Covers posterior elbow, to immobilize elbow following injury/surgery or soft tissue injury (tendonitis)
Prevents elbow motion

Question 14

Corset

Answer 14

Fabric (may have metal uprights)

Provide pressure and relieve pain associated with mid/low back pathologies

Question 15

Halo Vest Orthosis

Answer 15

Invasive cervical thoracic orthosis > Full restriction of all cervical motion

Common with cervical SCI to prevent further damage or dislocation, worn until spine is stable

Question 16

Milwaukee Orthosis

Answer 16

Promotes realignment of spine due to scoliosis
Pelvis through upper chest
Corrective padding applied to areas with most sever curve

Question 17

Taylor brace

Answer 17

Thoracolumbosacral Orthosis that limits flexion and extension of trunk through 3-point control design (wraps around shoulders like backpack)

Question 18

TLSO

Answer 18

Prevents trunk motions, common post-surgically

Bivalve style using velcro to secure

Question 19

Solid AFO

Answer 19

Trimline anterior to malleoli
Control DF/PF and inv/ev
Can articulate or not

Question 20

Posterior leafspring

Answer 20

Trimline posterior to malleoli
Primary purpose: Assist with DF and prevent foot drop
Requires pt to have med/lat control of ankle

Question 21

Floor reaction AFO

Answer 21

Assists with knee extension during stance through positioning of a calf band (anterior block to tibia advancement) or positioning at the ankle

Question 22

Craig-Scott KAFO

Answer 22

KAFO specifically for patients with paraplegia. Allows person to stand with a posterior lean of the trunk

Question 23

HKAFO

Answer 23

Bilateral KAFO+ hip and pelvic components
Controls rotation at hip and ABD/ADD
Heavy
Restricts pt to swing-to or swing-through pattern

Question 24

Reciprocating Gait Orthosis (RGO)

Answer 24

Derivative of HKAFO
Incorporates cable system to assist with advancement of extremities during gait.
Primarily for patients with paraplegia

Question 25

Parapodium

Answer 25

Standing frame designed to allow pt to sit when necessary
Ambulation achieved by shift weight and rocking base across floor.
Primarily used in peds

Question 26

Heel wedge

Answer 26

Used to control hindfoot eversion/inversion for symptoms associated with pes cavus/ pes planus

Question 27

Heel lift

Answer 27

Commonly used to take pressure off of Achilles (tendonitis or recent repair)

Also used for leg length discrepancy

Question 28

Heel cup vs. heel cushion

Answer 28

Same, except cup is supposed to stabilize calcaneus in neutral position as well.

Question 29

Metatarsal bar/pad

Answer 29

Flat piece of padding that is placed posterior to metatarsal heads
Helps relieve pressure from met heads by transferring it to met shafts –> pain relief for metatarsalgia

Question 30

Rocker bar

Answer 30

Similar to metatarsal bar, but convex instead of flat.
Assist pts who have difficulty with terminal stance due to limited mobility within foot (especially great toe)
Also helps relieve pressure from met heads for pts with pain there.