Ortho Flashcards
Which structure is diveded during carpal tunnel surgery?
The flexor retinaculum.
Which nerve is affected in a condition that causes antero-lateral pain of the thigh?
What is the name of this syndrome?
This is meralgia paraesthetica - a syndrome due to compression of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh.
Clinical features include:
- Burning, tingling, coldness, or shooting pain
- Numbness
- Deep muscle ache
- Symptoms are usually aggravated by standing, and relieved by sitting
- They can be mild and resolve spontaneously or may severely restrict the patient for many years.
What are risk factors for meralgia paraesthetica?
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Tight jeans/trousers
What are the complications of bisphosphonates?
- Gastritis - this is a side effect of oral bisphosphonates. Can lead to gastric ulceration. Reason why they should be taken on an empty stomach and whilst sitting upright.
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw - uncommon. Patients should therefore seek advice before any dental procedure.
- Fevers/myalgia/arthralgia - common with IV infusion. Last 24-72 hours. Get progressively better with subsequent infusions.
What is the management of bilateral talipes equinovarus?
The Ponseti method consists of manipulation and progressive casting which starts soon after birth. Deformity is usually corrected after 6-10 weeks. Achilles tenotomy is required in a majority of cases.
Which nerve supplies the “regimental badge” area?
The axillary nerve.
In what position would a leg be if the hip was dislocated anteriorly or posteriorly?
- Anteriorly: Leg would be externally rotated and NOT shortened
- Posteriorly: This would result in a shortened, internally rotated leg.
In what position would a lef be if the hip was broken?
Leg is shortened and EXTERNALLY ROTATED with hip fracture
What is the management of plantar fasciitis?
Conservative:
- Weight loss (If BMI >25)
- Tretch exercises (done 3x per day)
- Resting the heel
Medical: (if above fails)
- Orthotics such as insoles and heel pads
- NSAIDs
Describe how you would carry out Simmonds test and what it tests for?
Get the patient to lie prone with feet hanging off end of bed. Then squeeze calfs. If the foot fails to plantarflex, the test is positive.
This tests for Achilles tendon rupture.
What are the clinical features of compartment syndrome?
Clinical features:
- Severe, disproportionate pain
- Gets worse on passive movement of the leg
- Paraesthesia
- Pallor
- Pulses may still be present, as the pressure in the miccrovasculature is lower than arteries, so is suppressed quicker
- Paralysis of the muscle group may occur
How is compartment syndrome diagnosed?
The diagnosis in most cases is clinical.
In some cases (e.g. unconscious patients) intracompartmental pressure measurements can be performed.
What is the managment for compartment syndrome?
Fasciotomy performed promptly.
Due to the potential for myoglobinuria, aggressive IV fluid hydration is required to protect the kideys.
If necrosis is present, debribement may be required.
How are fibular ankle fractures classified?
Fractures at the fibular ankle can be classified using the Weber classification:
- A: Below the syndesmosis
- B: fractures start at the level of the tibial plafond and.may extend proximally to involve the syndesmosis
- C: above the syndesmosis
Maisonneuve fracture is a subtype: spiral fracture of the fibula leading to disruption of the syndesmosis with widening at the ankle joint.
What is a Maisonneuve fracture?
This descrives a spiral fracture of the fibula with tear of the interosseus membrane.
This usually requires surgical fixation.
Try and summrise the management for ankle fractures.
Ankle fractures rqurie prompt reduction to remove pressure on the overlying skin and subsequent necrosis.
Young: surgical repair with fixation, often with a compression plate.
Old: conservative may be more appropriate.
How lolng after a dynamic hip screw should patients mobilise?
After a dynamic hip screw patients should mobilise immediately post-OP.
What is the classification used for epiphyseal fractures?
What is “frozen shoulder”
Frozen shoulder, aka. adhesive capseolitis, is most common in middle-aged females. Features include:
- External rotation more affected than internal rotation
- Active and passove movements both affected
- Episodes last ~6 months - 2 years.
- Biltareal in 1/5th
Management is with NSAIDs, physiotherapy and steroids (oral or intra-articular)
What neurovascular structure is most commonly damaged in a scaphoid fracture?
The dorsal carpal arch of the radial artery.
As the blood supply to the proximal scaphoid is a watershed area, there is concern regarding avascular necrosis of the scaphoid.
What are the clinical features of a fat embolism?
Respiratory/CVS:
- Early, persistent tachycardia
- Tachypnoea, dyspnoea, hypoxia 72 hours following surgery
- Pyrexia (PE less associated with pyrexia)
Dermatological:
- Red/brown impalpable petichial rash
CNS:
- Confusion and agitation
- Retinal haemorrhages and intra-arterial fat globules on fundoscopy
What syste is used to classify open fractures?
Gustilo and Anderson classification.
How do you manage a fracture with vascular compromise?
Vascular impairment requires immediate surgery and restoration of circulation.
This should be done using: shunting, followed by temporary skeletal stabilisation, vascular reconstruction.
What is a Ganglion?
- A ganglion presents as a painless cyst arising from a joint or tendon sheath.
- They are most common around the back of the wrist.
- They are 3 times more common in women than men, and are completely harmless. Typically disappear after several months.
How soon should you organise an MRI in a suspected cauda equina syndrome?
An MRI should be done ASAP, but at 6 hours latest.
What are the risk factors for congenital hip dysplasia?
- Female
- Breech
- First born
- Family History
- Oligohydramnios
What is the most important step in managing an ankle fracture?
With an ankle fracture, immediate closed reduction is improtant to prevent necrosis of the overlying skin.
How does a psoas abscess present?
What is the most common causative organism?
- Lumbar tenderness
- Pain eases when knees are slighly flexed
Most common causeative organism:
- S. aureus
- Streptococcus epidermidis
What investigations should you perform in a suspected psoas abscess?
Investigations should include:
- Bloods:
- FBC
- Blood cultures + full septic screen
- Imaging:
- Plain AXR - not good at diagnosing but can rule out other causes
- MRI - gold standard
Which nerve runs through the cubital tunnel?
The ulnar nerve - there is a cubital tunnel syndrome where patients complain of funny-bone sensation + tingling in the pinkie on the affected side.
What is the diagnosis of choice for a suspected achilles tendon rupture?
Ultrasound is the initial imaging modality of choice for suspected Achilles tendon rupture.
What are risk factors for achilles tendon rupture?
- Quinolone use (e.g. ciprofloxacin)
- Hypercholesterolaemia
- Steroids
What is Lachman test?
Lachman test checks for ACL rupture.
What is the treatment for adhesive capseolitis?
Aka. adhesive capsulitis is a painful stiff shoulder with restriction in all movements.
Aetiology:
- Not known, however associated with diabetes mellitus (up to 20% of DM patients may develop it)
Clinical features: (onset over days)
- External rotation is affected more than internal rotation
- active and passive movement both affected
- Bilateral in 20%
- Episodes last 6-24 months
Management:
- Nothing really helps. Try NSAIDs, physio, steroids (oral or intra-articular)
What is Kanave’s sign?
Why is this significant?
This is a sign of infective tenosinovitis of the finger:
- Fixed Flexion
- Fusiform swelling
- Tenderness
- Pain on passive flexion
This is a surgical emergency as early management with antibiotics ± surgical debridement may be required.
What treatment should you NOT give in compartment syndrome?
Anticoagulation is contraindicated - this can lead to more bleeding into the compartment and therefore worsen it.
What does the FRAX score measure?
This measures the risk of suffering a fragility fracture within the next 10 years.
A risk of 10% warrants a DEXA scan.
What is discitis?
Discitis is an infection of the intervertebral disc space.
It can lead to sepsis or epidural abscess.
Causes include:
- S. aureus
- TB
- Viral
- Aseptic
What is the Ix and Rx for discitis?
Ix:
- MRI has the highest sensitivity
- CT-guided biopsy may be required to guie antibiotic treatment
- (Also consider echo, as haematogenous spread is common)
Rx:
- Standard therapy requires 6-8 weeks of IV ABx
How can you distinguish between a sciatic neuropathy and an L5 radiculopathy?
Sciatic neuropathy:
- Loss of ankle jerk
- Loss of plantar response
L5 radiculopathy:
- Postiive straight leg raise
- Normal reflexes
- Weakness of hip abduction