Musculoskeletal A&P Flashcards
Types of Bone Fractures
Nondisplaced
Displaced
Complete
Incomplete
Nondisplaced: bone ends retain their normal position
Displaced: Bone ends out of normal alignment
Complete: Bone is broken all the way through
Incomplete: Bone is not broken all the way through
Bone Fracture Types cont
Linear
Transverse
Compound
Simple
Linear: Fracture is parallel to the long axis of bone
Transverse: Fracture is perpendicular to long axis of bone
Compound: open - bone penetrates skin
Simple: closed - no skin penetration of bone ends
Common Types of Fractures
Comminuted
Spiral
Depressed
Comminuted: bone fragments into >3 pieces - common in elderly
Spiral: ragged break where bone is twisted - common sports or child abuse injury
Depressed: Broken bone portion pressed inward - typical skull fracture
Common Types of Fractures cont
Compression
Epiphyseal
Greenstick
Compression: bone is crushed - common w/ porous bones
Epiphyseal: epiphysis separates from diaphysis along epiphyseal line - occurs where cartilage cells are dying
Greenstick: incomplete fracture where one side breaks and other side bends - common in kids
Colles Fracture
Smith’s Fracture
Colles: MC wrist fx, FOOSH injury (fall on outstretched hand) where distal radius breaks away and displaces dorsally
-extension fracture of the radius
Smith’s: volar dislocation of the radius
-Flexion fracture of the radius
Scaphoid Fracture Splint
Thumb spica with prolonged immobilization
Worry about losing blood supply from radial artery
Radial side and anatomic snuffbox pain
Lunate Dislocation
Bone falls into palmar space
Can compress the median nerve and cause carpal tunnel syndrome
Tipped teacup sign on lateral films
Boxer’s Fracture
Breaking of distal metaphysis of the 5th metacarpal
MC fracture of the hand
UInar gutter splint for 2-3 weeks
Bennet Fracture
oblique fracture of the base of thumb metacarpal that enters the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint
Two pieces, large and small
Small attached to volar oblique ligament of carpus
Large fragment displaced at CMC joint
Treat with thumb spica splint
Rolando Fracture
Like a Bennet fracture
Y-shaped intra-articular fracture at the base of the thumb metacarpal
Comminuted - difference from Bennet
Treat with thumb spica splint
Galeazzi Fracture
Radial shaft fracture at distal 1/3
Force tears the ligaments of the radial ulnar joint causing distal joint dislocation
Monteggia Fracture
Fracture of ulnar shaft with dislocation of ulna-capitellar joint at the elbow
Holstein-Lewis Fracture
Humeral shaft fracture at distal 1/3 humerus
Radial nerve crosses @ 15 cm above lateral epicondyle - high risk for radial nerve injury here
Wolff’s Law
Bone grows or remodels in response to forces/demands placed upon it
Long bones thickest midway along shaft - bending strength greatest
Curved bones thickest where they are likely to buckle
Trabeculae form along stress lines
Large, bony projections where heavy, active muscles attach
Paget’s Disease
Excessive bone formation and breakdown with high ratio of woven:compact bone and reduced mineralization
Osteoclast activity wanes while osteoblast activity continues
Usually localized in spine, pelvis, femur, and skull
Causes misshapen bones and increased risk arthritis and deafness
Treat: Didronate, Fosamax; bisphosphonates and calcitonin to help
