Ortho Flashcards
Unilateral shortening of sternocleidomastoid muscle… results in lateral head tilt ad chin rotation of the side opposite to that head tilt
Congenital torticollis
specific areas of the infant’s head develop an abnormality, and there’s a flattening of the shape of the skull and appearance ( a positional deformity … how the child lies on their head)
•Risk factors: torticollis, premature birth, multiple gestations and also multiple fetuses.
• Assess: hold on base of neck and look down on top of child’s head to look for asymmetry
•Dx and Tx: History and head assessment-> Helmet therapy
• Prevent by promoting Tummy Time, hold baby during wake hours
Positional Plagiocephaly
subluxation of radial head
Nursemaid elbow
how to fix nursemaids elbow
- supination and flexion
- hyperpronation
- Common in first 6 months of walking but can indicate other problems
- In kids that have this and no neuro prob- should resolve by age 3
- Assess gait and shoes, heel cords, make sure child can flex and extend foot 90 degrees. Good neuro and LE exam
toe walking
what to assess in kids with limp
Trendelenburg sign
= assess hip stability
•ask the pt to stand on one leg and to raise the other leg. you want to see if the pelvis drops on the raised leg side. This sign is positive, and it indicates a weak hip adductor muscle.
Trendelenburg sign
•Occurs when there’s microtrauma in deep fibers of patellar tendon @ insertion site of tibia tuberosity (pain and knee swelling) - athletic kids
- Not red, inflamed, or warm but does have swelling… upon palpation pt will have pain in that specific area
- Tx: typically self limiting… symptom management
Osgood-Schlatter
•Often seen in adolescents d/t rapid growth spurts (playing sports)
•Will experience pain … usually increases w/ physical activity and stops when they stop physical activity
•PE: Assess all joints, try and reproduce pain
. Prevention is key
Osgood-Schlatter
- Results from infarction of the bony epiphysis of femoral head = articular cartilage hypertrophies, and a narrowing and necrosis of the bone occurs. Area then revascularized, and the necrotic bone is replaced with new bone.
- Presents as avascular necrosis of the femoral head in 4-8 years olds, (more often boys)
Legg-Calve-Perthes
disease occurs when too little blood is supplied to the ball portion of the hip joint (femoral head).
limp, pain in groin, anterior hip, greater trochanter, pain in ipsilateral knee
Antalgic gait, Trendelenburg gait
= immediate ortho referral
Legg-Calve-Perthes
•Salter-Harris type 1 fracture through the proximal femoral epiphysis
•Displaces posteriorly and inferiorly to the metaphysis
•can be caused from stress in the hip region that causes shearing force that is applied around the growth plate (trauma or weak intrinsic muscles / physeal cartilage)
- overweight boys
= immediate referral to ortho
(crutches/ wheelchair?
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
inflammation of the bursa (fluid filled sac that facilitates smooth movement of joints)
bursitis
anterior or lateral shoulder pain with acute or insidious onset. Pain exacerbated by over-head activities; deep aching that interrupts sleep.
Increased pain with active abduction and internal rotation of arm and tenderness below the acromion. Weakness with internal rotation
Shoulder bursitis
How to test for Shoulder bursitis
Neer impingement sign and
Hawkins impingement sign
raise and pull on straightened arm forcibly from the side to full abduction above the head→ if this causes pain the patient has impingement
Neer impingement sign
flex the elbow to 90 degrees and raise upper arm to 90 degrees of abduction (parallel to floor). Then rotate arm internally across the front of the body, causing compression of the rotator cuff and subacromial ligament. → pain= impingement
Hawkins impingement sign
visible elbow swelling. Assess for erythema, temperature, lymphadenopathy, ROM.
Elbow (olecranon) bursitis
how to manage Elbow (olecranon) bursitis that may be septic
Septic (⅓ of cases are septic): tenderness, erythema, and warmth
•Obtain fluid for culture and start ABX to cover Staphylococcus aureus
•RF: DM, immunosuppression, alcoholism, psoriasis, gout, RA
most common reasons people get hip bursitis
trochanteric most common; W>M; runners, s/p hip replacement
sudden or gradual pain from overuse or trauma. Pain worse at night. Point tenderness, may be accompanied by redness, warmth, and swelling. Hip flexion and rotation may exacerbate pain. Passive joint motion not affected
hip bursitis
housemaid’s knee”- prepatellar bursitis: caused by excessive kneeling; pes anserine: obese or degernative
oPE: tenderness and edema over patella.
knee bursitis
mild to moderate pain over anterior and medial knee just below joint line. Active resisted flexion of knee reproduces pain.
Pes anserine… knee bursitis
differentiates bursal swelling from effusion): apply downward pressure on patella, if click is felt joint effusion is likely, if negative bursitis is present
Ballottement test
pain and limping
PE: erythema or palpable, swollen bursa that is tender at Achilles tendon insertion site at the posterior heel. Pain by squeezing bursa and compressing side to side.
Heel (Calcaneal) bursitis
General Diagnostic tests for bursitis
fluid aspiration if suspect septic bursitis; crystal analysis, WBC count, glucose, ESR, rheumatoid factor, or antinuclear antibodies, uric acid
How to Tx bursitis?
Aspiration if septic (completed by ortho). Cold and heat therapy (max 20mins each session). Activity modification. Knee pads, immobilization, elevation, and rest for a few days. Aspiration not infected fluid to provide relief if desired. Should resolve in 3-4 days if not septic.
Pharm for bursitis
- NSAIDs. If older than 75 and/or on anticoags use topical NSAIDs and lidocaine patches.
- ABX if septic: cover staphylococcus aureus. Refer to ortho for aspiration; high risk.
- Local Injections: corticosteroids with or without anesthetic. (no more than 3 injections in the same joint over 12 months).
(even if x-ray is negative; common area fx are missed)- scaphoid fracture- splint, repeat x-ray in 1-2 weeks. High risk pt.
Snuff box tenderness
bone shattered in 3 or more pieces.
Comminuted fracture
mild. Can bear weight, mild tenderness and swelling
grade 1 sprain
moderate→ parietal tearing. moderate tenderness and swelling. May or may not be able to bear weight. Significant discomfort. Laxity to joint
grade 2 sprain
severe → complete tear of ligament. Large amount of swelling and pain, Not able to bear weight. Significant laxity, unstable joint.
grade 3 sprain
how to tx a sprain
ensure good footwear, stretching, strengthening. Long recovery. NSAIDs, tylenol, RICE, splint, walking boot, cam boot, aircast splint. Refer to PT. Cryotherapy. Electrotherapy, US.
joint overuse - discomfort over inflamed tendon, point tenderness, or nonspecific limb pain.
Tendonitis
how to tx Tendonitis?
tylenol, NSAIDs, injections with cortisone, exercises (ROM, PT). F/u in 7-10 days to ensure sx have resolved.
Chest pain that is reproducible
W>M, dx of exclusion (EKG, CXR)
Costochondritis
how to tx Costochondritis?
NSAIDs and tylenol, cold/warm compresses; stretching exercises. Refer to orthopedist if no improvement (steroid injections). f/u in 7-10 days. Should resolve on own.
stiffness in morning, alleviated with walking/moving. Length discrepancy in legs, loss of internal rotation, mild swelling
arthritis
how to tx arthritis ?
: tylenol, NSAIDs, canes/walker, PT, decrease progression and improve QOL
pain in neck that does not radiate. Usu d/t sprain or strain or referred. Limited ROM may be present. Motor strength and reflexes are normal
axial neck pain
pain greater in the arm than in the neck with neurological sx (weakness, numbness, and tingling). Abrupt onset of pain that worsens with cervical extension and ipsilateral rotation
radicular neck pain
→ immediate referral→ caused by spinal cord compression. Weakness in lower extremities, gait disturbance, bowel and bladder dysfunction, or sexual dysfunction.
Cervical myelopathy
overstretching or tearing of spinal ligaments and muscles. May occur without identified precipitating event, MVC, trauma (whiplash- includes soft tissues, ligaments, nerves, and disk)
strain
common cause of radiculopathy
commonly a herniated cervical intervertebral disc (C6-7 or C5-6)
pressing down on head reproduces symptoms down the arm
Radiculopathy
(upper limb tension test) → turn head contralaterally with the arm abduction and elbow extended. Reproduction of sx is positive.
Elvey test (Radiculopathy)
place palm of affected extremity on top of head while pt is seated. Alleviation of pain is positive.
Shoulder abduction test
Radiculopathy
rapidly flex the neck while pt is seated → electric shock sensation down the spine and into limbs indicates cervical cord disorders (compression, tumor, MS)
Lhermitte sign
Radiculopathy
may happen in a young or middle-aged adult. Usually weight, their occupation, and even genetics can put a patient at risk
• Good history is important
• Some may have radicular pain, radiation, weakness
• L5-S1 most commonly affected
herniated disc
anterolateral shoulder pain that does not radiate past the elbow.
Rotator cuff tear
+Drop arm test, complete inability to move shoulder if complete tear. Unable to shrug shoulder while abducting arm
Rotator cuff tear
how to dx and tx rotator cuff tear
•Diag: x-ray to r/o fracture, MRI to confirm
Tests: Apley Scratch, Drop arm, empty can, lift - off
Tx: NSAIDs, tylenol, ultram or narcotics. Steroids to help with inflammation. Ice/heat. Nonoperative if no weakness. PT. surgery if no improvement after 4-6months of PT\
- RF: trauma, hx of dislocation or subluxation, impact injury (sports)
- CM: mechanism of dislocation,
- PE: 90% are anterior (abducted and internally rotated arm) acromion process palpable. NV exam
AC Dislocation/subluxation
how to dx and tx AC Dislocation/subluxation
Dx: x-ray to assess for fracture
Tx: NPO and immobilize shoulder to have joint reduced in ED, surgical intervention if reduction unsuccessful
•RF: injury, fall
CM: decreased ROM, mild pain; may be able to palpate separation
Diag: x-ray
Tx: sling, ice, NSAIDs, tylenol, ortho referral if severe. Should resolve in about a week. ROM exercises when pain is resolved
Separation of AC joint
active and passive decrease in ROM. Sx 18-24 mos +Apley scratch test
Diag: will be normal, used to r/o fracture
Tx: NSAIDs/tylenol. Corticosteroid injection. ROM exercises- PT.
Frozen shoulder aka Adhesive capsulitis
risk factors for frozen shoulder
DM, thyroid dysfunction, hypercholesterolemia. Over 40. Parkinson’s. F>M
gradual onset of dull ache/discomfort on inner or outer aspect of elbow. Pain increased with grip and twisting.
Epicondylitis AKA Tennis Elbow
Prevention and TX of Epicondylitis AKA Tennis Elbow
- Prevention: rest, avoid exacerbating activities, no prolonged overuse
- Tx: NSAIDs, tylenol, ice, heat, PT, splinting if severe. If no resolution after 3-6 months refer to orthopedist. Do not completely immobilize joint (no sling). 90-95% of cases resolve without surgical tx.