Ortho basics Flashcards
Describe the structure of bone
- Cortical bone on outside: hard, mechanical function
- Cancellous bone inside: porous, holds marrow
Diaphysis (shaft)
Epiphysis (head)
Metaphysis (between growth plate + diaphysis)
Describe the 3 main types of fracture (in terms of aetiology) and give examples
- Traumatic eg. FOOSH, high speed RTA
- Stress eg. sports/running
- Pathological eg. osteoporosis compression #, tumours
Describe the imaging needing in suspected fracture
- Plain radiographs
- 2 views: AP and lateral +/- extras eg Mortise
- Also xray of joints above + below injury
Describe the different patterns of fractures
- Transverse
- Oblique
- Spiral
- Compression
- Greenstick
- Avulsion
- Comminuted
Describe how to report a fracture xray
- Patient details
- Fracture pattern: simple/comminuted, transverse, oblique, spiral
- Anatomical location: bone + part of bone
- Intra or extra articular
- Deformity: translation, angulation (varus, valgus)
- Soft tissues: open/closed, NV status
- Specific type eg. Colles, Smiths
Describe the stages of fracture healing
- Reactive phase: up to 48 hours. Haematoma formation -> inflammatory cell recruitment
- Reparative phase: 2 days - 2 weeks. Callus formation (proliferation of blasts) -> consolidation of woven bone
- Remodelling phase: 1 wk - 7 years. Remodelling of lamellar bone to cope w forces.
Describe fracture healing time
3 weeks: child, upper limb, metaphyseal, closed Prolonging factors (double time): adult, lower limb, diaphyseal, open
Describe the basics of fracture management
4 Rs: resus, reduction, restriction, rehab
- Resus: follow ATLS, assess for injuries + neurovascular status, stabilise -> imaging
- Reduction: for displaced fractures. Manipulation (closed reduction), traction, open reduction
- Restriction: eg non-rigid (slings), POP, ext/int fixation
- Rehab: physio, OT
Describe the specific management for open fractures
6 As:
- Analgesia: morphine + metoclopramide
- Assess: NV status, injuries
- Antiseptic: irrigation, cover with betadine-soaked dressing
- Alignment: align + splint
- Anti-tetanus
- Antibiotics: fluclox + penpen OR co-amox
Describe the complications of fractures
General: Trauma complications: -Pain, bleeding, shock Complications of surgery + anaesthesia Post-op complications: DVT, pneumonia, PE, infection
Specific:
Immediate: neurovascular damage
Early: compartment syn, infection
Late: problems with union, AVN, growth disturbance, OA
Describe compartment syndrome
A condition that occurs following fracture/trauma to a limb, in which pressure rises in a single compartment. Without treatment, this can compromise blood flow to the compartment and cause muscle death (when compartment P > capillary P)
Describe the presentation of compartment syndrome
PAIN
+/- reduced/absent pulses
-Warm, red, swollen limb
Describe the management of compartment syndrome
Conservative:
- Elevation
- Remove splint/bandages/POP
Medical:
-Analgesia
Surgical:
-Fasciotomy
What are some problems with fracture union?
Delayed union: ^ time to unite
Non-union: failure to unite
-Can be hypertrophic or atrophic
Malunion
What are some causes of delayed/non-union?
5 Is:
- Ischaemia
- Infection
- Interfragmentary strain
- Interposition of tissue between fragments
- Intercurrent disease eg. malnutrition