MSK quick associations

Question 1

Man in 20s with LBP that improves with exercise

Answer 1

Ankylosing spondylitis

Question 2

Pencil in cup deformities of the DIP joints

Answer 2

Psoriatic arthritis

Question 3

Bamboo spine on XR

Answer 3

Ankylosing spondylitis

Question 4

Noninflammatory arthritis affecting DIPs and PIPs

Answer 4

OA

Question 5

Inflammatory arthritis affecting the PIPs and MCPs

Answer 5

RA

Question 6

Knee X-ray reveals calcification on menisci

Answer 6

pseudogout

Question 7

Needle-shaped negatively birefringent crystals in synovial fluid

Answer 7

gout

Question 8

Rhomboid-shaped, positively birefringent crystals in synovial fluid

Answer 8

pseudogout

Question 9

> 50,000 neutrophils in synovial fluid

Answer 9

septic joint

Question 10

24 yo man with pain and swelling in both knees and pustules on hands

Answer 10

N. gonorrheae septic arthritis

Question 11

LBP increases with passive straight leg raise

Answer 11

herniated disc

Question 12

LBP with acute urinary retention

Answer 12

cauda equina

Question 13

severe back pain that radiates to groin

Answer 13

renal stone

Question 14

LBP limited to paraspinal region

Answer 14

muscle strain

Question 15

LBP improves with activity

Answer 15

ankylosing spondylitis

Question 16

Fall on outstretched arm -> snuffbox tenderness complication

Answer 16

avascular necrosis

Question 17

Anterior shoulder dislocation complication

Answer 17

axillary n inj

Question 18

Fracture of 5th metacarpal neck complication

Answer 18

fight bite, tendon lac

Question 19

Humerus fracture complication

Answer 19

radial n inj

Question 20

Hip fracture complication

Answer 20

avascular necrosis

Question 21

Femur fracture complication

Answer 21

fat embolization, severe blood loss

Question 22

Tibial fracture complication

Answer 22

compartment syndrome

Question 23

Pelvic fracture complication

Answer 23

major blood loss -> hypovolemic shock

Question 24

Scapular winging nerve inj

Answer 24

long thoracic n.

Question 25

unable to wipe bottom - nerve inj

Answer 25

thoracodorsal n

Question 26

loss of shoulder abduction nerve inj

Answer 26

axillary n.

Question 27

loss of elbow flexion and forearm supination - nerve inj

Answer 27

musculocutaneous n.

Question 28

Trouble initiating shoulder abduction - nerve inj

Answer 28

supra scapular n.

Question 29

Unable to abduct arm beyond 10 degrees - nerve inj

Answer 29

axillary n.

Question 30

unable to raise arm above horizontal - nerve inj

Answer 30

long thoracic and spinal accessory Ns.

Question 31

Fracture of the shaft of the humerus nerve inj

Answer 31

Radial n.

Question 32

fracture of surgical neck of the humerus nerve inj

Answer 32

axillary n

Question 33

supracondylar humerus fracture nerve inj

Answer 33

median n.

Question 34

fracture of the medial epicondyle nerve inj

Answer 34

ulnar n.

Question 35

Injury to carpal tunnel nerve inj

Answer 35

median n.

Question 36

Back pain worse at rest and better with activity

Answer 36

ankylosing spondylitis

Question 37

back pain 24 hours a day and at rest with weight loss

Answer 37

cancer

Question 38

bowel and bladder dysfunction, saddle anesthesia

Answer 38

cauda equina

Question 39

Back pain with epigastric pain related to eating

Answer 39

PUD, pancreatitis

Question 40

Back pain with RUQ pain that worsens after eating fatty meals

Answer 40

cholecystitis

Question 41

Back pain with elevated amylase or lipase

Answer 41

pancreatitis

Question 42

back pain with pulsatile abdominal mass

Answer 42

AAA

Question 43

back pain that radiates to the pelvis or groin

Answer 43

renal stones

Question 44

CVA tenderness

Answer 44

pyelonephritis

Question 45

Back pain in osteoporotic patient

Answer 45

compression fracture

Question 46

back asymmetry

Answer 46

scoliosis - severe

Question 47

back pain with abnormal gait where knees are flexed and hips remain flexed

Answer 47

spondylolithisis - L5-S1 MC

Question 48

Back pain with systemic infection

Answer 48

meningitis, discitis, osteomyelitis, epidural abscess