Musculoskeletal and Rheumatology Flashcards
How is trauma fractures managed
ABCD: resuscitate to keep patient alive
then usually reduce (closed or open), retrict/hold, rehabilitate
How is a fracture assessed, investigated
Pain, Swelling, Crepitus, Deformity, Collateral nerve or vessel damage.
Investigations XRay, CT if want to see if goes into joint
How are fractures described
closed or open
pieces: simple fracture or comminuted/multi fragmented
pattern: transverse (straight across), spiral
displaces/undisplaced
rotated/translated/angulated : varus vs valgus, in hand volar/dorsal
What are the two types of fracture healing
Direct/Primary: bones end in contact so can get anatomical reduction, absolute stability/compression, low strain without callus. fixed with compression, involves endochondral and intramembranous bone healing
Indirect/Secondary: only sufficient fracture healing, micromovement, callus will form. Endochondral ossification only
What are the phases of indirect fracture healing
Inflammation: haematoma forms, cytokines released which recruit osteoclasts, granulation tissue and blood vessels form
Repair: soft callus forms (type II collagen), converted to hard callus (type I collagen)
Remodelling: callus responds to activity, external forces. functional demands and growth
What law describes how bone grows and remodels in response to forces put upon it
Wolff’s Law
How is reduction of a fraction achieved
Can be
Closed: by manipulation (pull and put in plaster) or traction (skin or skeletal, pins in bones to slowly move back into place)
Open: mini-incisions or full exposure
What types of fracture hold/restriction options are there
Closed: plaster or traction through skin or skeletal pins/splints
Fixation: can be internal such as: extramedullary plates, screws and pins or intramedullary pins and nails OR external such as monoplana or multiplanar
What types of rehabilitation options are there
use : pain relief and retrain
move
strengthen
weight bear
What are the complications of fractures
fat embolus: fat from bone marrow can cause pulmonary embolus
DVT
infection
prolonged immobility can cause UTI, chest infections
The fracture itself can injure structures:
neurovascular injury
muscle/tendon injury
non union/mal union
local infectio
Degenerative change: pressure can kill condrocytes
What factors affect fracture healing
Mechanical environment : movement and force applied
Biological environment : blood supply, immune function, infection, nutrition
What are the causes of a fractured neck of femur
Osteoporosis in older patients
trauma in younger patient
Describe the anatomy of the femoral neck
Triple blood supply to femoral head
iliopsoas muscle attaches to lesser trochanter
gluteus medius, minimus, piriformis, obturator externus and obturater internus attaches to greater trochanter
What are the four types of neck of femur fractures
Subcapital/ intracapsular: just under femoral head at the capsule
Transcervical/extracapsular: at femoral neck
Basicervical/extracapsular: below femoral neck, at the base
Subtrochanteric- below lesser trochanter
Part intertrochanteric : goes through/ around the trochanter
In which neck of femur fracture is avascular necrosis and non union likely to occur
Intracapsular as has a triple blood supply so more likely to be compromised
What sign on an x-ray indicates a neck of femur fracture
Shentons line ( a line from inside/medial of the femoral neck to bottom of superior pubic ramus, if displaced then means theres a problem.
How are neck of femur fractures managed
Extracapsular: internal fixation (plate and screws or nail)
Intracapsular
- if displaced : less than 55yrs then reduce and fix with screws, if over 65 replace (fit and mobile is total hip replacement, if not then hemiarthroplasty- aka femur head only)
How would a shoulder dislocation present, what hsould you examine and investigate
due to trauma often so pain, restricted movement, shoulder doesnt look normal
examine axillary nerve function
investigate: x-ray first to check if theres a fracture
How is a dislocated shoulder managed
traction-counter traction + gentle internal rotation
make sure patient relaxed
stimson manouvre
What are the complications of shoulder dislocation
Hill-Sachs defect : dent on humerus
Bankart lesion : injuries of the anteroinferior aspect of the glenoid labral complex , glenoid head usually makes
How are distal radius fractures managed
Cast/splint
Mua and k-wire: if unstable and extra-articular
ORIF: diplaced, unstable fracture not suitable for k wire get open reduction with internal fixation
What is a tibial plateau fracture and how is it managed
Tibial joint surface has medial and lateral plateaus with a central tibial spine insertion point
Any extreme loading or valgus/varus force can cause
management: only non operatuve if truly undisplaced, most have to have operation to restore articular surface with plates and screws, bone graft to prevent further depression
What is a trimalleolar fracture
Medial malleous
Lateral malleous/ medial side of fibula
Posterior malleous all broken
How are lateral malleus ankle fractures managed
Weber ankle fracture classification:
Type A: below the level of the syndesmosis between tibula and fibula, tibiofibular syndesmosis is intact. usually transverse/avulsion fractures
Type B: At level of tibiofibular syndesmosis but tibiofibular syndesmosis usually intact. usually torsion/spiral
Type C: above the level of the syndesmosis and tibiofibular syndesmosis disruption
How are ankle fractures managed
non operative: if Weber A or B then cast for 6-8 weeks non weight bearing, walking boot then physiotherapy.
operative: if Weber C or unstable Weber B. will need elevation as otherwise will swell, open reduction and internal fixation with syndesmosis repair
What are the three main functions of the spine
Locomotor: rigid for stability and mobile to bend
Bony armour/Protection: protect spinal cord
Neurological: spinal cord transmission between brain and periphery
Where does the spinal cord end
L2
What is lordosis and typhosis
lordosis: lumbar vertebrae curves outwards normally, c shaped
kyphosis: mirrored c shape, thoracic and cervical usually curved inwards
Before the spinal cord becomes the cauda equina what is it called
Conus medularis
How is chronic back pain categorised
back pain that lasts more than 12 weeks
What are the common symptoms and causes of mechanical back pain
Worse with movement, better at rest
common causes: muscular tension. muscle sprain/spasm, degenerative disk disease, osteoarthritis of facet joints
What symptom usually accompanies back pain
Sciatica : due to disk herniation ( a tear in the annulus fibrosis causes nucleus pulposus to move out and impede on the nerve. This causes pain radiating down one leg
What are some serious causes of back pain?
tumour
infection
referred pain
Inflammatory spondyloarthropathy
fracture
large disk prolapse casuing neurological compromise
What are the red flag symptoms of back pain
pain at night, or pain when laying supine
constant or progressive pain
thracic pain
weight loss and previous malignancy
fever/night sweats
immunosuppressed
bladder or bowel disturbance
leg weakness
sensory loss
younger than 20 yrs or older than 55
What is cauda equina syndrome, what investigations and treatment is needed
caused by large disk herniation, bony metastases, TB, myeloma
Signs:
saddle anaesthesia
bladder/bowel incontinence
loss of anal tone on PR
radicular leg pain
ankle jerks absent
Treatment: surgery , according to cause
What is the treatment for lower back pain that has no red flags
time to see if improves
analgesia
keep moving, no bed rest
physiotherapy: soft tissue work and corrective exercises
Why four causes of back pain are blood tests useful for and what would be the results
myeloma- high ESR, low FBC, high Calcium
Inflammation- high ESR, high CRP, high WCC
TB- high ESR
Bony metastases: high calcium, high PSA (prostate cancer specifically)
What imaging modalities are preferred in back pain cases
MRI is the best visualisation of soft tissue and spinal imaging
What pathology is a wedge fracture indicative of
Osteoporosis (causes vertebral collapse so see a squished door wedge shaped fracture rather than square vertebral body from side will look triangular
How would TB affect the spinal cord and what would show up on an MRI
Looks like the vertebral body has been eaten away, cerebrospinal fluid moves out
What is the treatment for a herniated disk
normally improves spontaneously
1- if back pain without sciatica: NSAIDs and physiotherapy
2- nerve root injection of local anaestheric and glucocorticoid
3- surgeruif neurological impact
What is inflammatory spondyloarthritis
group of immune mediated inflam diseases. causes spondylitis which is inflammation of the spine, inflam of sacro-iliac joint (sacro-ilitis). Affects peripheral joints especially tensor insertions
get AAAA: anterior uveitis (ocular inflam), Apical lung fribrosis, Aortic regurg, Amyloidosis
What are the symptoms and pathophysiology of ankylosing spondylitis
is chronic spinal inflammation that can lead to spinal fusion, inflammation at enthesis (where tendon or ligament attaches), no autoantibodies
Loose spinal movements, head can get stuck in forward flexion, get morning stiffness, enthesitis (inflammation of entheses) , pain and swelling in the inflamed areas. NSAIDs like ibuprofen make better
Genetic component: HLA-B7 is the risk factor , is a diagnostic biomarker but HLA-B7 positive doesnt mean AS always.(HLA Class I molecules o infective sells bind to B7 on T cell).
Cytokines are involved: TNF-alpha, IL-17 and IL-23
aberrant aminopeptidases in E.R
How may MRI scans look in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Joints irregular and not smooth, increased whiteness on bone either side of joint :sclerosis
see shiny corners of the vertebral body: which is spinal inflammation
Why does untreated ankylosing spondylitis result in spinal fusion/ being stuck in positions
Spinal inflammation at entheses (spinal enthesitis)
this causes bridging syndesmophytes and there is bone growth between adjacent vertebra which becomes calcified and get stuck in positions
How is ankylosing spondylitis managed
1) physiotherapy with life long exercise programme
2) NSAIDs (ibuprofen): at risk of peptic ulcer, renal probelms, asthma exacerbation and higher atherothrombosis risk.
Selective COX2 inhibitors reduce GI ulcer risk as COX1 isnt inhibited
3) Biological therapies: monoclonal antibodies such as anti-tnf alpha or anti IL-17 (all end in mab)
Why do NSAIDs help ankylosing spondylitis
NSAIDs inhibit COX-1 and COX-2 (cyclooxegenase). COX converts arachadonic acid to prostaglandins. Prostaglanding cause imflammation, pain, platelet inhibition. Instead of prostaglandin arachadonic acid is converted to leukotrienes and causes bronchoconstriction.
What is an example of a selective COX2 inhibitor
celecoxib
Describe the two types of bone development
Intramembranous : mesenchymal cells in embryonic skeleton differentiate into osteoblasts, osteoblasts cluster to make the ossification centre. Osteoblasts then secrete osteoid which calcifies and traps osteoblasts making them osteocytes. clusters of osteoid form around capillaries make the trabecular matrix , and clusters on the spongey bone surface form the periosteum (outside of bone). spongey bone crowds nearby blood vessels and condenses to red bone marrow and the superficial layer becomes cancellous/compact bone : MESENCHYMAL TO BONE: BONE FORMS FROM FIBROUS MEMBRANES
endochondral: mesenchymal cells become chondroblasts which make hyaline cartilage. Perichondrium is vascularised, nutrients from blood stimulate mesenchymal cells to become osteobblasts, osteoblasts for spongey bone at primary ossificcation, osteoblasts around diaphysis to form bone collar, whch causes calcification of the matrix , causes cell death = hollow bone. Chondrocytes at epiphysal plate still depositing cartilage and elongating the bone. Periosteal bud invades cavity and makes sponget bone. osteoblasts deposit bone at ephiphysis and diaphysisi to make epiphyseal plate , this is the secondary ossification centre where the bone grows
What types of bone do each bone development types create
Intamembranous- flat bones : skull clavicle and mandible
Endochondral- long bones
What is the difference between primary ossification centres and secondary ossification centres
Primary: pre-natal bone growth through endochondral ossification at the diaphysis
Secondary: post-natal at the physis
Describe the layers of the physis
growth plate zone (chondrocytes change)
Reserve zone: matrix production
Proliferative zone: mitosis
Maturation and hypertrophy (lipids, glycogen, alkaline phosphatase)
Calcified matrix (cell death)
Describe where longitudinal and positional growth occur
longitudinal at the physis
positional at the periosteum
what investigation needs to be done if you want to visualise cartilage
arthrogram
Differences between adult and childrens bones
PHYSIS : growth occurs at physis until closes girls 15-16, men 18-19. Therefore, physical injuries can cause growth arrest and deformity in younger children
ELASTICITY: children have immature bone: less dense, lamellae more porous, increased density of haversian canals so bone bends before breaks
SPEED AND REMODELLING: thick periosteum allowing for remodelling as gives nutrition and blood supply, so if bone breaks periosteum will correct
What two type of fractions are common in children
Buckle fracture: axial force squash radius then cortices can’t sustain force so cracks and buckles, doesn’t snap but buckles and doesn’t displace as the periosteum stays in tact.
Greenstick Fracture: bending force, cracks on one cortex but stay intact the other, in adults as their bones are brittle both sides will snap.
In the leg and arm which two physis’ remodel faster
physis at he knee and at extreme of upper limb (shoulder)
What is avulsion
Bone pulled off from ligament or tendon
What is the difference between intra articular and extra articular fractures and their preferred bone healing process
Intra articular: affects the joint , want primary/direct bone healing so no callous is formed
Extra articular: doesnt impact the joint so secondary/indirect is okay
How are physical injuries classified
Salter-Harris
TYPE 1: physeal separation
Type 2: fracture is through physis and exits through metaphysis
Type 3: Fracture through physis and exits epiphysis
Type 4: Through epiphysis, physis and metaphysis
Type 5: crush injury to physis= growth arrest
What causes growth arrest
injuries to the physis
Describe the difference between damage to the whole physis and partial damage to the physis
Whole: limb length discrepancy
Partial: angultion as other side keeps growing
What are the treatment options for growth arrest
1) limb length correction: shorten the long side, or lengthen the short side
2)angular deformities:stop growth of the unaffected side or osteomy (reforming the bone)
What is an example of closed reduction
Gallows traction: hold the skin, reduce the long bones of the lower limb