Ortho 2: Modules Flashcards
What is a general approach to reading & reporting XR in ortho?
- Pt ID
- Views and body part (eg AP, lateral)
- Sufficient vs not (long bone: joint above and below, 2 perpendicular views)
- Soft tissue: swelling?
- Cortex: discontinuity?
- Medulla: lucent areas?
What is a general approach to describing fractures?
- Which bone
- Where along the bone
- Type of fracture
- Displacement
- Angulation
- Shortening
How is displacement or translation described (in a fracture)?
Position of distal segment relative to proximal (Anterior, posterior, medial, lateral)
Apposition (% of contact between fragments)
What does angulation of a fracture describe?
Which direction the apex of the angulated # is facing
How do you describe where on a bone a fracture is?
Epiphyseal, metaphyseal, diaphyseal
What is a segmental fracture?
Fracture composed of at least two # lines that together isolate a segment of bone
What is the difference between a segmental vs a comminuted fracture?
Segmental has a single segment, comminuted has multiple
What are the main fracture types?
Transverse Linear Oblique (displaced or non-displaced) Spiral Greenstick Comminuted
What is the 11-22-11 rule of the normal wrist?
Radial height 11mm
Radial inclination 22 degrees
Volar tilt 11 degrees
What is the Garden classification?
Classifies subcapital femoral neck fractures
Garden stage I: incomplete fracture, undisplaced (including valgus impacted fractures)
Garden stage II: complete fracture, undisplaced
Garden stage III: complete fracture, incompletely displaced
Garden stage IV: complete fracture, completely displaced
How does prognosis change with Garden stage I & II vs III & IV fractures?
In general:
stage I and II: stable fractures – can be treated with internal fixation (head-preservation)
stage III and VI: unstable fractures – treated with arthroplasty (either hemi- or total arthroplasty)
What is the Shenton line?
Imaginary curved line along inferior anterior pelvis & femur – should be continuous
What is the Weber classification?
Classifies ankle fractures by level of fibular fracture relative to syndesmosis
A: below syndesmosis
B: level of syndesmosis
C: above syndesmosis
Which part of the physis is the most susceptible to fracture?
Hypertrophic
What is the Salter-Harris classification of fractures?
Classifies growth plate fractures I: physis (eg transverse along physis) II: physis into metaphysis III: physis into epiphysis IV: physis into both metaphysis and epiphysis (eg obliguely through all three) V: physis crush injury
Mnemonic: SALTR Straight through / Stable Above Low Through and through Ram
In which patients should you assume cervical spine injury?
Head trauma High energy trauma Neuro deficit Neck pain Obtunded LOC
What additional precaution must be taken when immobilizing a child with suspected spinal injury (pediatric spines)?
Head larger, so they must be on pad or must be hole in the board to avoid neck flexion (see module for diagram)
What are the key elements of an urgent ortho exam for a pt presenting to emerg with ortho injuries?
Remove from spine board
Log roll
Inspect and palpate spine
Secondary survey (all bones and joints)
What are the features to note when inspecting and palpating the spine of a trauma pt?
Deformity, swelling
Tenderness
Gap/step off
Crepitus
What are the basic 5 steps of fracture management?
- Inspect skin
- Detailed neurovascular exam
- Align/splint
- Xray
- Repeat detailed neurovascular exam
How is a painful splint or cast managed?
Must be removed
What is a key difference in splints and casts, especially with acute injuries?
Splints allow for swelling, casts (which fully encircle limb) don’t
What should you tell the pt to do after applying a splint or cast?
Elevate the limb to minimize swelling
How long does metaphyseal bone take to heal? List some examples
6 weeks
Wrist, ankle, proximal humerus