Musculoskeletal & Soft Tissue Trauma

Question 0

Name 4 causes of a fracture

Answer 0

Trauma
Abnormal muscle contraction
Pathological fracture
Stress fracture

Question 1

What is a fracture?

Answer 1

A traumatic injury to a bone in which the continuity of the tissue of the bone is broken

Question 2

Name 3 categories of fractures

Answer 2

Simple/closed fracture
Compound/open fracture
Complicated fracture

Question 3

Describe a simple fracture

Answer 3

No break or wound in overlying skin.
Blood may be lost into the surrounding tissues.
Eg. NOF, maleolus, humerus fractures

Question 4

Describe compound fracture

Answer 4

Bone has pierced through the skin.
Penetrating wound down to area of damaged bone.
Eg. Usually mva

Question 5

Describe complicated fracture

Answer 5

A fracture accompanied by injury to neighbouring soft tissues such as nerves and blood vessels
Eg. Fractured rib goes through lung or liver

Question 6

Signs/symptoms of fractures

Answer 6

Pain at fracture site
Deformity
Swelling 
Loss of movement- important sign for pelvic fracture
Grating or crepitus

Question 7

Describe dislocation

Answer 7

Dislocations occur when the joint is forced beyond its anatomical ROM and as a result the joint surfaces are no longer in contact.
Described as:
Anterior/posterior
Medial/lateral

Question 8

Signs/symptoms of dislocation

Answer 8

Very severe pain
Deformity of the joint
Inability to move the joint
Tenderness
Swelling

Question 9

What is a strain?

Answer 9

Injury to muscle or tendon (muscle to bone)

Question 10

What is a sprain?

Answer 10

Injury to a ligament (attached bone to bone)

Question 11

Signs sprain

Answer 11

Localised pain
Additional pain on movement
May be considerable swelling
Bruising may develop quickly

Question 12

2 ways to assess musculoskeletal injuries?

Answer 12

Inspect: deformity, swelling, bruising, perfusion, compare to other limb

Palpate: crepitus, bony tenderness, skin temp, distal pulse

Question 13

Name 4 types of closed wounds

Answer 13

Haematoma
Contusion
Crush injuries
Compartment syndrome

Question 14

What is a Haematoma?

Answer 14

Bleeding under the skin

Question 15

What is a contusion

Answer 15

Bleeding under skin

Question 16

What is a crush injury?

Answer 16

Can be caused by wide range of situations; vehicle, shaft/trench collapse, commercial pressed.
The crush syndrome is progressive multiple organ failure some hours after injury.
Wastes released into circulatory system

Question 17

What is compartment syndrome?

Answer 17

Increased pressure within a confined space in the body eg. Feet.
Remember 5 P's
Pain
Paralysis
Pallor
Pulselessness
Paraesthesia
Y

Question 18

What is paraesthesia?

Answer 18

Abnormal sensation, tingling/prickling caused by pressure on peripheral nerves.

Question 19

Name 6 types of open wounds

Answer 19

Lacerations
Abrasions
Avulsion
Puncture/penetrating
Amputation
Bites

Question 20

List wound infection control considerations

Answer 20

Time, mechanism (laceration, abrasion), location, severity, contamination, cleansing, technique of repair, general patient condition.

Question 21

Name 3 steps in general haemorrhage control

Answer 21

Direct pressure
Elevation
Tourniquet

Question 22

List adverse effects of pain

Answer 22

Hypertension
Tachycardia
Increased myocardial demand

Question 23

SJAA WAAS analgesia for pain relief

Answer 23

Paracetamol 
Cophenylcaine
Methoxyflurane
Fentanyl
Ketamine

Question 24

What is malignant hyperthermia?

Answer 24

A hereditary condition in which certain anaesthetics cause high body temperatures and muscle rigidity.