Musculoskeletal Flashcards
what are the functions of the musculoskeletal system (4)
- provides protection for vital organs, including brain, heart, and lungs
- serves as framework to support body structures
- makes mobility possible
- serves as reservoir for immature blood cells and essential minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and fluoride
what are the two types of bone maintenance (2)
1) remodeling (formation): old bone is removed and new bone is added to the skeleton
- physical activity, particularly weight bearing activity, acts to stimulate bone formation and remodeling
2) resorption: removal or destruction of bone
- prolonged bedrest causes increased bone resorption for calcium loss
what are osteoblasts
function in bone formation
what are osteoclasts
dissolving and reabsorbing bone
- bone breakdown
what are osteocytes
bone maintenance (bone cells)
TIP: mature bone cell -> bone maintenance
muscle strength grade 1-5 (description and type) assessment techniques
0) no palpable or observable muscle contraction (p)
1) palpable or observable contraction, but no motion (P)
2) moves without gravity loading over the full ROM (Aa)
3) moves against gravity less over the full ROM (A)
4) moves against gravity and moderate resistance over the full ROM (Ar)
5) moves against gravity and maximal resistance over the full ROM (Ar)
A= active
a= assistive
r= resistive
what is adduction
towards body
what is abduction
away from the body
supinate
limb upward (holding soup)
pronate
limb downward (holding hands down)
what are the 6 signs of poor circulation (6 Ps)
- pain (relieved by rest)
- pallor (cyanosis)
- poikilothermia (body can’t regulate temp)
- paresthesia (pins and needles, N/T/burning)
- paralysis
- pulselessess
TIP: gait assessment -> walk (observe balance, coordination, unsteadiness, irregular movements, symmetry, limping, shuffling)
- assessment: occupation, exercise, alcohol, tobacco, diet, health conditions, family hx, falls, previous trauma injury
what is back pain (what, length, cause, aggravated by, assess (6))
1) pain, most commonly in the lumbosacral and cervical vertebrae because these are the areas where the vertebral column is most flexible
- acute: <3 months
- chronic: >3 months
2) cause: obesity, postural problems, structural problems + overstretching (disc degeneration)
3) aggravated by activity, whereas pain d/t other conditions is not
4) assess patients gait, spinal mobility, reflexes, leg length, leg motor strength, and sensory perception (may be affected)
- TIP: leaning forward (flexion), reflex (exertion), abdominal + thoracic muscles minimize stress on spine
back pain s/sx (7)
- pain
- radiculopathy (pinch/compressive nerve)
- sciatica (pain, numbness, tingling in leg)
- muscle spasm
- N/T
- leg weakness
- bowel or bladder incontinence or retention
TIP: cauda equina syndrome (compression of causa equina) MEDICAL EMERGENCY
back pain (NI) (3, pharm - (3))
- physical therapy
- heat/cold applications
- surgery: post pharmacological intervention
pharmacological:
- NSAIDs/muscle relaxants (acute)
- antidepressants/atypical anticonvulsants (chronic)
- opioids (acute, CI: CKD)
TIP: systemic corticosteroids + Tylenol NOT fully effective
back pain prevention (8)
- use good posture and safe manual handling practices, with specific attention to bending, lifting, and sitting
- assess the need for assistance with you household chores or other activities
- participate in a regular exercise program, especially one that promotes back strengthening, such as swimming and walking
- avoid prolonged sitting or standing, use footstool and ergonomic chairs and tables to lessen back strain. Be sure that equipment in the workplace is ergonomically designed to prevent injury
- keep weight within 10% of ideal body weight
- ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake
- stop smoking
- avoid wearing high-heeled shoes (promotes poor posture)
back pain nursing considerations (extra) (8)
- use strong quad muscles of thigh (feet placed apart -> bend -> tighten ab muscles -> lift with sooth motion)
- avoid twisting, bending, lifting, reaching
- shift weight and rest one foot on stool
- should not stay on prolonged bed rest (periods of inactivity -> deconditioning)
- avoid locking knees, bending forward
- change positions frequently, limit sitting
- weight reduction (harder to perform exercises if overweight)
- avoid prone position accentuates lordosis)
carpal tunnel syndrome (3)
common condition in which the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed, causing pain and numbness (potential tingling)
- median nerve supplies motor, sensory, and autonomic function for the first 3 fingers of the hand and the palmar aspect of the fourth (ring) finger
- d/t median nerve is close to other structures, wrist flexion causes nerve impingement and extension causes increased pressure in the lower portion of the carpal tunnel
carpal tunnel syndrome s/sx (8) (2 main!!)
- paresthesias
- numbness
- pain (may be worse at night)
- weak pinch
- clumsiness (dropping things)
- difficulty with fine motor movements (fingers)
- (+) phalens test (flex weist against e/o, positive if N/T)
- (+) tinel’s sign (lightly percuss median nerve, positive if N/T)
carpal tunnel syndrome NI (3, pharm-2)
- splint/hand brace (prevents hyperextension/prolonged flexion)
- acupuncture (helps w/ pain)
- surgery: open nerve release (local anesthesia) -> endoscopic laser surgery (cuts carpal ligament to widen carpal tunnel) -> splint post surgery to limit use -> recovery takes wks to months
pharmacological:
- Nsaid: pain relief, inflammation
- corticosteroid injections
carpal tunnel syndrome health promotion activities to prevent carpal tunnel (5)
- become familiar w/ federal and state laws regarding workplace requirements to prevent repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- when using equipment or computer workstations that can contribute to developing CTS -> assess ergonomically appropriate including: specially designed wrist rest devices, geometrically designed computer keyboards, chair height that allows good posture)
- take regular breaks away from activities that cause repetitive stress, such as working at computers
- stretch fingers and wrists frequently during work hours
- stay as relaxed as possible when using equipment that causes repetitive stress
osteopenia
low bone mass
osteoporosis (what, _____ and _______ occur w?, most often at risk)
a chronic metabolic disease in which bone loss causes decreased density and possible fracture from reduced bone mass, deterioration of bone matrix and diminished bone architectural strength
- osteopenia and osteoporosis occur with osteoclastic (bone resoprtion) activity is greater than osteoblastic (bone building) activity
- spine, hip, wrist are most often at risk, although any bone can fracture
osteoporosis s/sx (9)
- dowager’s hump/kyphosis
- “shorter”
- back pain, especially with activity
- swelling
- malalignment
- constipation
- abdominal distention + spinal curvature
- reflex esophagitis (rib cage affects)
- respiratory compromise
osteoporosis diagnostic labs (4)/diagnostic tests (3)
1) diagnostic labs:
- serum calcium
- vitamin D3
- phosphorus
- urinary calcium
2) diagnostic tests:
- BMD testing (bone mineral density): dual XR
absorptiometry (DXA, DEXA) scans at hip/spine
- T score: # of SD above/below (avg) of bone marrow density in healthy adult that is 30 yrs old -> provides info. about bone mass density
- XR: density results
osteoporosis NI (2, pharm -3)
- prevention is best and needs to start early in life
- life style modifications (wt. bearing exercises)
pharmacological:
- calcium & vitamin D3 supplements (SE: constipation, increased calcium)
- biphosphonates: slow bone resorption by biding with crystal elements in the bone, take w/ empty stomach w/ water only, reabsorbs by decreased osteoclast, sit up for 30 min., avoid esophageal irritation (esophagitis) (ex: alendronate (fosamax), ibandronate (boniva), risedronate (actonel, atelvia)
- estrogen agonist/hormone therapy (TBD)
osteoporosis complications (4)
- osteoporosis results in more than 1.5 million fragility fractures each year
- a woman who experiences a hip fracture has a 4 times greater risk for a second fracture
- mortality rate for older patients w/ hip fratcures is very high, especially within first 6 months, and the debilitating effects can be devastating)
- reported 1 year mortality after sustaining a hip fracture has been estimated to be 14-15%
osteomalacia (what, causes, equivalence)
- loss of bone related to vitamin D deficiency
- causes softening of the bone resulting from inadequate deposits of calcium and phosphorus in the bone matrix
- adult equivalent of rickets or vitamin D deficiency in children
osteomalacia s/sx (4)
- muscle and bone weakness
- spinal kyphosis and bowed legs
- waddling and unsteady gait
- bone pain/tenderness
osteomalacia RF (3)
- decreased sunlight
- decreased vitamin D
- crohn’s/celiac disease
osteomalacia diagnostic labs (4)
- low serum calcium
- low phosphorus
- low urine excretion of calcium
- increased PTH
osteomalacia diagnostic tests
XR
osteomalacia interventions (prevention, pharmacological (3))
- prevention: for all at risk patients, teach them which HIGH CALCIUM and VIT D foods to eat and the importance of adequate daily sunlight
pharmacological:
- active vit D (calcitriol)
- adequate daily sunlight
- pain mgmt
osteoarthritis (what, 5)
degenerative joint disease (DJD)
- over inflammatory, localized progressive deterioration and loss of cartilage and bone in one or more joints (excessive wear and tear)
- NOT systemic, NOT autoimmune disease
- as cartilage and bone beneath the cartilage begin to erode, joint space narrows and osteophytes (bone spurs) form
- secondary joint inflammation can occur when joint involvement is severe
- starts is 30s, PEAK 50S
extra: most common (idiopathic, secondary)
osteoarthritis RF (3)
obesity, age, female
osteoarthritis s/sx (8) (2 BIG)
- joint stiffness/pain
- pain that diminishes after rest and worsens with activity
- functional impairment
- possible tenderness
- crepitus (crunching sound)
- heberden’s nodes (dip -> DISTAL)
- bouchard’s nodes (pip -> PROXIMAL interpheringeal)
- joint effusions
EXTRA: in weight bearing joints, can be PIP + DIP (both)
- SLOW ONSET
osteoarthritis interventions (4, pharm (3))
- supportive care: heat
- PT/OT (exercise! -> 30min/day)
- surgery/joint arthroplasty (replacing all joints)
- pt. education: wt loss/exercise, rest w/ activity, heat -> stiffness, ice -> acute exacerbation/pain
pharm:
- acetaminophen, NSAIDs, or COX2 inhibitors, opioids
- cortisone injections Q3 months (decrease inflammation + pain)
- topical analgesic agents such as diclofenac sodium gel, capsaicin (burning sensation, similar to chili peppers), methylsalicylate
osteoarthritis: joint arthroplasty (surgical, what, result (3), contraindication (2), indications (4))
- surgical removal of an unhealthy joint and replacement of joint surfaces with metal or synthetic materials
- total joint arthroplasty (total joint replacement): replacement of all components of an articulating joint
- result: pain relief, return of joint motion, improved functional status and quality of life (scope of improvements depends in part on patient’s preoperative soft tissue condition and general muscle strength)
- contraindication: advanced osteoporosis, infection
indications:
- osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fractures, failure of previous reconstructive surgeries (failed prosthesis, etc.)
osteoarthritis: hip replacement post op care (8)
- abduction pillow or splint to prevent adduction after surgery if patient is restless/confused
- heel’s off bed to prevent PI
- do NOT rely on fever as a sign of infection -> decreased LOC (better)
- move pt. slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension
- encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe, use the incentive spirometry
- as soon as permitted, get patient up and out of bed
- anticipate patient’s need for pain relief
- expect temp. change in mental state immediately post surgery as a result of the anesthetic and unfamiliar sensory stimuli (reorient the patient frequently)
extra
- hip precaution 4 months
- bedpan -> flex unaffected hip -> use trapeze to lift pelvis
- when turning patient, operative hip in abduction can cause dislocation
- NEVER flexed greater than or equal to 90 degrees
- take abx before dental/invasive procedure
- elevated toilet seat, no low chairs
- hip high then knee when sitting
- knee apart, pillow between, don’t cross legs, no bending, high seated chair, no flexing, don’t turn inward
osteoarthritis: knee replacement post op care (4)
- apply continuous passive motion (CPM) as soon as it is ordered
- manage the patient’s pain to provide comfort, increase participation in activity and improve joint mobility
- maintain the knee in neutral position and NOT rotated internally in or externally (knee immobilizer -> elevate when sitting)
- teach patients that they are able to partially weight bear UNLESS their prosthesis is NOT cemented
extra
- pain mgmt: ice/cold to decrease swelling/bleeding
- active flexion Q1H
- no pillows under
osteoarthritis complications of total joint arthoplasty (5)
- dislocation (hip fully flexed, adducted, rotated)
- venous thromboembolism (VTE) ( exercise/ambulation, SCD + prophylaxis)
- infection (CHG bath)
- neurovascular compromise (6 P’s)
- pressure injury: cradle boots -> prevents leg rotation -> support heel off the bed)