Musculoskeletal Dysfunction Flashcards
Frctures
the resistance between bone yielding to applied stress
- break in the bone
What is the most common site of childhood fractures?
distal forearm (radius, ulna, or both)
Children are at high risk for fractures due to
high activity levels
immature bones
- brace themselves
Children have a faster
remodeling/healing
Younger the child the shorter amount of remodeling time
Fractures in infancy are rare and warrant
further investgation
If you wait to go to ER after a break, then what will happen?
the bone will remodel itself and not heal correctly
What fracture can stop the bone from growing and create a more complex treatment?
growth plate fracture
Factors affecting remodeling
age (younger = faster healing)
location (growth plate = complex/stop growing)
degree of deformity (complex to simple crack)
Dx of Fractures
X-ray
If still showing s/s = CT/MRI
What are the different types of fractures?
Plastic Deformation (bend)
Buckle (torus)
Greenstick
Complete
Spiral
Growth Plate
Plastic Deformation
bend
- not a break
- MALLEABLE BONES
Children have malleable bones. To what degree does the bone been but not break?
45 degrees
Buckle fracture
- torus
- pulled/raised in the fx site
Greenstick fracture
broke but not all the way through
Spiral fracture
twisting force
- sports with a plant and twist
- child abuse
Growth plate fracture
Epiphysis - end of the long bone
Assessment of Fx
general swelling
pain/tenderness/numb
deformity
low functional use guarding
Ecchymosis
Rigid muscles/spasms
Crepitus
Why is it important to make a splint for the affected fractured bone?
Muscular rigidity is a s/s of a fracture and will affect/move the bone out of place
Crepitation
bones scraping together with bubbling under the skin
- careful not to cause damage
What is the initial priority nursing actions of a child extremity fracture in order?
- calm/reassure
- Assess the extent (mech of injury)
-
Peripheral neurovascular assessment (6Ps)
~ only move distal (as little as possible) - If compound, then cover with sterile dressing
- Immobilize (sling/immobilizer)
- RICE
~ Elevate/Isolate
~ Apply cold - Cont. monitor neovascular status
- Apply traction if circulatory compromise is present
- Transport to ER
Neurovascular Assessment
Pallor
Pulse
Pain
Poikilothermia - temperature
Parenthesis - numbness (only move phalanges)
Paralysis - no mvmt
If the circulatory compromise is present with the fracture, then apply
traction
T/F: Do not try to reduce or press on the fracture.
True
What are the different types of casting materials?
plaster
synthetic (fiberglass)
Casts are used to
immobilize the bone and joint after fx
- fx of hip/knee requires spica cast
What are the advantages of plaster casts?
- molded closely to body part
- smooth exterior
- cheap
What are the disadvantages of plaster casts?
- take 10-72 hours to dry
- heavy
- not water resistant
What are the advantages of synthetic casts?
- lightweight
- dry quickly (5-20 minutes)
- Can be used with a water-resistant liner
- colors and prints
What are the disadvantages of synthetic casts?
- can not molded close to the body
- rough
- expensive $$$$$$$$
The fracture should be in a splint until
the swelling has gone down
then cast is placed
During the application of casts, what are the developmental considerations for children?
Preschoolers have a fear of body mutilation
- use transition objects
Interactions to calm down
Distractions for cleaning the areas
What is the process of putting on a cast material?
Have abrasions?
If abrasions/altered skin = stocking net for liner
cotton wrap for comfort
casting material
When HCP applies the cast material they will
mold material to limb
- ensuring smooth cast edge
If they are applying a synthetic cast material, what does the HCP need to ensure?
smooth edges with stocking net outside of the edge OR petal the edge with water adhesive tape
- due to the synthetic edge being rough
What should the nurse teach the parent and child considering cast care?
dry inside out
- do not dry with a heat lamp or hair dryer
**Reposition wet cast with palm
Elevate on a soft surface
Ice for pain/swelling w/ barrier to keep dry
Assessments of infection and 6Ps
The cast dries from
inside out
The cast should be repositioned with
palms
- if finger then skin breakdown can occur
S/S of infection in a cast
fever
pain
increase swelling
redness
odor
drainage
HEAT
What are alterations to casts?
Windows
- assess area and hygiene
- surgical site/diaper change
- Spiga Cast
Bivalve
- cut in half to loosen top portion held with ace wrap
- assess the surgical sites or swelling
What should you constantly check for and tell children about cast protocol?
NO objects/toys/food in the cast
Nothing inside to itch
NO moisture (cover with a plastic bag)
- Call HCP if gets wet
The cast is removed with a
cast cutter/saw
What should you do for the atraumatic care of a cast saw?
- the cast is now a part of them if younger
- preschoolers might not use the arm altogether
- call it cast removal tool, tickle, no harm to skin only
Education of Cast removal
- appearance and skin care
skinnier =
muscle atrophy
funky odor with no judgment
dead skin buildup
If they do not slough off then do not peel,
Skin Care = regular baths and will fall off normally
After taking the cast off, what should you do if the skin does not slough off?
let it go normally
DO NOT PEEL!
- Normal showering and cleaning
Education of returning to activity after a cast
minor = full activity to the amount of time inside cast
Ex) 1 month in cast = 1 month till activity
- No football, rollerblading, or bike riding till after
- Not normally PT
What joint mobility exercise after cast material?
stiff is normal due to no usage
muscle and mobility will increase over time
What are the developmental activities used in cast removal?
Traction purpose
CIRCULATORY COMPROMISE
realign bone
immobilize
fatigue muscle to reduce spasms
Skin Traction is applied to
directly to the skin surface and indirectly to the skeletal structures
- pulling force is weights (bandage, boot, sling)
Skeletal Traction is applied to
DIRECTLY INSIDE the distal bone with pins/wires/tongs
Traction type is dependent on:
Fracture
- severity, degree of misplacement, other structures involved (tearing)
- child’s age
Buck Extension/Traction
short term immobilization
leg extended position
boot appliance to traction
Buck Traction is used on these musculoskeletal disorders?
dislocated hips
Legg-Calvé-Perthes
Do not remove the traction without
HCP orders
- only double-check wts with ropes and pulleys in place
Bryant Traction does what
immobilizes both lower extremities
Bryant Traction is used in what musculoskeletal disorders?
fractured femur
developmental dysplasia
of the hip
Bryant Traction flexes the legs at what angles?
90 degrees at the hips ONLY
With Braynt Traction, the butt should be
raised slightly off the bed
What are the different types of skin traction?
Buck and Bryant
Skeletal Traction allows for what compared to skin traction
longer traction time and heavier weights
Skin Traction holds weights less than
25 lbs
Skeletal Traction holds weights
25-45 lbs
Skeletal Traction Types
90-90 Traction
Halo
90-90 Traction is used for
bone realignment with calves in boots/slings
- Hip (butt off the bed) and Knees at 90 degrees
- Steinmann pin or Kirschner wire in the distal fragment of the femur
Monitor for what with pin care of skeletal traction?
increase infection s/s
Halos are used for
displaced/fx vertebrae
Halos are
steel halo attached with four screws into outer skull
- rigid bars connect to vest
Halos allow for
greater mobility of the body while avoiding cervical spinal motion**
With Halos, what are the scheduled assessments?
Neuro
Assessments of Traction devices
6 Ps
Turning if not in 90-90 or Bryants)
- skin integrity (no pressure points, wrinkles)
Body alignment (butt off bed)
Pin sites need to be clean/dry
Position bandages, frames, and splints, boots
Ropes/pulley/weights
Bed Position from HCP
What should be used in tractions to prevent muscle spasms?
analgesic/muscle relaxants
What psychological needs should be addressed for children with traction?
allow for friends and stimulation
siblings do not touch weights
Osteomyelitis
Infection within the bone, usually caused by bacteria introduced by trauma or surgery,
by direct extension from a nearby infection or via the bloodstream