Musculoskeletal Disorders Flashcards
Bone, Joint, Muscle Disorders
Fractures: Aetiology and Pathophysiology
a fracture is break in the bone, often from significant bone
pathological fractures are linked to weakened bones from osteoporosis, osteomalacia
Fractures: Epidemiology
Women more prone due to osteoporosis; men at risk from accidents
Classification based on injury mechanism, stability
Fractures: Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis and Management
symptoms: pain, swelling, deformities, possibly shock
Diagnosis: imaging
Management: pain relief, immobilization
Bone healing is effective throughout life, but slows as you age
Types of Fractures
Types of Fractures:
Facial (e.g. Maxilla, Mandible. leads to airway obstruction due to displaced bone fragments)
Vertebral (anywhere along the spine)
Ribs (singular or multiple ribs may break)
Upper limb (clavicle, proximal humorus)
Pelvic (carry high risks of blood loss, and damage to other abdominal structures)
hip (common in older adults)
lower limb (occur in the femur and tibia)
Fracture complications
delayed union (healing), malunion (bone heals in abnormal position), avascular necrosis (death of bone tissue due to lack of blood supply)
Osteoporosis: Aetiology and Pathophysiology
reduced bone mineral density and bone microstructure deterioration -> makes bones more brittle
imbalance in bone formation and resorption
Osteoporosis: Epidemiology
Risk factors: age, hormonal changes, lifestyle, dietary deficiencies
Osteoporosis: Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis and Management
typically asymptomatic until a fracture
Diagnosis: medical history, DEXA scans
Management: calcium supplementation, specific drugs that inhibit bone resorption
Osteomalacia: Aetiology and Pathophysiology
softening of bones from abnormal mineralisation of bone matrix
Causes: Vitamin D and dietary calcium deficiency
Osteomalacia: Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis and Management
Symptoms: bone pain, reduced mobility, muscle weakness
Diagnosis: clinical exam, lab tests, imaging
Management: Vitamin D and dietary calcium supplements, sun exposure education
Osteomyelitis: Aetiology and pathophysiology
acute or chronic bone infection often from Staphylocus aureus (bacteria)
Acute osteomyelitis -> triggers inflammatory responses due to pathogen invasion
Chronic osteomyelitis -> results from injuries, diabetes and IV drug use
Osteomyelitis: Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis and Management
Symptoms: pain, swelling, restricted movement, fatigue
Diagnosis: involves medical history, imaging, microbial cultures
Treatment based on antimicrobial agents
Osteogenic tumours: Aetiology and Pathophysiology
malignant bone cancer
common in children and adolescents
it is rapid bone growth
Types: osteosarcoma (can occur in any bone)
ewing’s sarcoma (typically in leg bones)
Osteogenic tumours: Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis and Management
Symptoms: pain, tenderness, swelling, mobility issues
Diagnosis: through history, radiological tests, biopsies, treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery
Osteoarthritis: Aetiology and Pathophysiology
degeneration of synovial joints (most common degenerative disease)
enzymatic breakdown of cartilage
developed due to a complex interaction of factors such as genetics, hormonal effects and injury
Osteoarthritis: Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis and Management
symptoms: joint pain, stiffness, reduced motion
commonly affected area include knees, hips, spine and hands
Joints may become tender, enlarged, misaligned, and may lock due to free floating cartilage fragments
Diagnosis: physical assessment, x-rays, history
Management: pain control, mobility maintenance, NSAIDS, supplements and surgery
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Aetiology and Pathophysiology
chronic inflammation affecting synovial joints
Autoimmune disease
risk factors: genetics, environment, smoking
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis and Management
Symptoms: joint pain, swelling, and symptom-wide effects
commonly affects joints in hands, feet, ankles, hip and elbows
Diagnosis: health history, physical exam, blood tests
Management: lifestyle changes, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and surgery if it becomes severe
Compartment Syndrome: Aetiology and Pathophysiology
a serious disorder characterised by elevated pressure in muscle compartments which is encased by fascia (tough membrane holds muscles in place)
causes: inflammation, bleeding, tight bandages
Compartment Syndrome: Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, Management
symptoms: severe pain, numbness, paralysis
diagnosis: pressure measurement, blood tests immediate treatment critical to prevent limb damage
Muscle contractures: Aetiology and Pathophysiology
shortening or tightening muscles
reduces the full range of joint movement
causes: trauma to brain or spinal cord, burns and improper positioning
neurally mediated muscle contractures: excess activity of nerves supplying muscle
non-neurally mediated muscle contractures: skin and connective tissue shortening
Muscle contractures: Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, Management
Symptoms: reduced joint mobility and muscle atrophy
Diagnosis and prevention: physical assessment (examining joints, ROM, muscle strength and tone, PNS functionality), exercises, splinting
Disuse atrophy
Disuse atrophy due to physical inactivity (muscle strength and size reduce)
Assessment: includes examining affected limbs for changes in size and comparing to unaffected limbs
Management: gradual return to activity.
Denervation Atrophy: Aetiology and Pathophysiology
Denervation Atrophy is from nerve damage affecting skeletal muscle -> leading to a significant reduction in muscle mass
severity of denervation atrophy depends on severity of nerve damage
