Ortho Emergencies Flashcards
Occurs when intracompartmental pressure exceeds vascular perfusion pressure, leading to ischemia of the muscles, nerves, and vessels in the closed space.
Compartment Syndrome
(Emergency)
What value is diagnostic of Acute Compartment Syndrome?
> 30 mmHg
How is perfusion pressure calculated?
Compartment Pressure - Diastolic Pressure
What is the most common cause of Compartment Syndrome?
Trauma
What is the most common location of Acute Compartment Syndrome
Leg
Forearm
What are the 7 “Ps” of Compartment Syndrome
Pain
Pallor
Paresthesia
Paresis
Poikilothermia
Pressure
Pulselessness
What is the most specific test for Compartment Syndrome?
Pain Out of Proportion
- especially with passive stretch
Compartment Syndrome Treatment
Emergent Fasciotomy
Remove All Restrictive Devices
Where does the Spinal Cord Terminate
L1-L2
What do S2-S4 Nerves Control?
Bladder + Bowel Function
What causes Cauda Equina Syndrome?
Large Herniated Disc
Epidural Hematoma
Abscess
Trauma
How is Cauda Equina Syndrome treated?
Surgical Emergency
Septic Arthritis Joint Fluid:
< 200 WBC
Clear
Normal
Septic Arthritis Joint Fluid:
< 2000 WBC
Yellow
Group 1: Noninflammatory
Septic Arthritis Joint Fluid:
2000 - 75,000 WBC
Yellow to Opalescent
Group 2: Inflammatory
Septic Arthritis Joint Fluid:
> 100,000 WBC
Yellow to Green
Group 3: Purulent
What nerve is most commonly affected with a Knee Dislocation?
Peroneal Nerve
What is the most common type of Knee Dislocation?
Anterior
(Tibia moves forward relative to the Femur)
What type of knee dislocation has the highest rate of a complete popliteal artery tear?
Posterior
What type of knee dislocation has the highest rate of perineal nerve injury?
Lateral
An X-Ray will be obtained first with an acute knee dislocation, what will be obtained after acute treatment?
MRI
Knee Dislocation Treatment
Orthopedic Emergency
Vascular Consult
Delayed Ligament Repair
Most commonly fractured carpal bone. Vulnerable to fall on the outstretched hand.
Scaphoid Fracture
What arteries supply the Scaphoid?
Dorsal Carpal Branch of Radial Artery (80%)
Superficial Palmar Branch of Radial Artery (20%)
A Scaphoid fracture displaced more than 1mm may have a high rate of what?
Non-union
Symptoms of Scaphoid Fracture
Dorsiflexion Wrist Injury
Pain in Snuffbox
Painful Gripping
Scaphoid Fracture Treatment
Tender in Snuffbox → Thumb Spica Cast
- Repeat X-Rays + MRI in 7-14 days
Displacement or Evidence of Non-union → Surgery
