Ortho OSCE Topics Flashcards
Which 4 areas are often affected by compartment syndrome?
Elbow (supracondylar #) Forearm bones (proximal) Proximal 1/3 of the tibia Foot Scapula
Name causes of compartment syndrome
Intracompartmental
- fracture
- reperfusion injury
- crush injury
- ischemia
Extracompartmental
- constrictive dressing
- poor position during surgery
- circumferential burn
How is compartment syndrome diagnosed?
1st sign = paraesthesia 2nd = pain out of proportion 3rd = pain on passive stretch Woody, hard swelling of the compartment Suspicious history
How does compartment syndrome result in paraesthesia?
Compression of the small aa that supply the nerve
What is pain out of proportion?
Not resolving after splinting Adequate analgesia (morphine, tramadol, perfalgan)
How do you test pain on passive stretch in the lower limb?
Flex the big toe
Which compartment is first affected in the lower limb?
Anterior compartment
How do you test pain on passive stretch in the upper limb?
Extension of the fingers
Which compartment is usually affected in compartment syndrome of the upper limb?
Flexor compartment
Name the classic features of compartment syndrome
- Paraesthesia
- Pain out of proportion
- Pain on passive stretch
- Pallor
- Paralysis
- Pulselessness
What investigations do you do in compartment syndrome?
It is a clinical diagnosis therefore investigations are usually not necessary
How do you diagnose children or unconscious patients with compartment syndrome as clinical exam is unreliable?
Compartment pressure monitoring with catheter
What is the normal compartment pressure?
0mmHg
What compartment pressure suggests compartment syndrome?
Pressure >30mmHg
OR
DBP - pressure <30mmHg
Discuss the non-operative management of compartment syndrome
Decompress threatened compartments - cut casts, bandages, dressing - split the splint bandages to keep fracture stable - cut circular POP on both sides Keep limb at the level of the heart Wait 20-35min and repeat examination - improvement = continue - no improvement = fasciotomy
Why should you keep the limb at the level of the heart in compartment syndrome?
Decreases end capillary pressure which aggravates the muscle ischemia
Discuss operative management of compartment syndrome
Surgically open the compartment
Leave the wound open and inspect 48-72h later
If muscle necrosis -> debridement
If healthy tissues -> suture wound without tension or use skin graft
How do you do a fasciotomy of the leg?
Open all 4 compartments through medial and lateral incisions
How long does it take for muscle necrosis to occur?
4-6h of total ischemia
Name complications of compartment syndrome
Volkmann’s ischemic contracture
Rhabdomyolysis
Renal failure secondary to myoglobinuria
Define an open fracture
Fractured bone and hematoma in communication with the external/contaminated environment
Discuss the acute management of open fractures
- ABCs
Primary survey
Resus - Control bleeding with direct pressure
- Remove obvious foreign material
- Irrigate with normal saline if grossly contaminated
- Cover wound with saline soaked sterile dressings
- IV antibiotics once diagnosis of open fracture is confirmed
- coamoxiclav
- cefuroxime
- clindamycin - Tetanus toxoid if previously immunized
Tetanus immunoglobulin if not previously immunized - Reduce bone/joint
- Splint the limb until surgery
- NPO and preparation for theater
- bloods
- consent
- ECG
- CXR - Monitor state of soft tissues and neurovascular supply
What are the 4 essentials of open fracture care?
Antibiotic prophylaxis
Prompt wound debridement
Fracture stabilization
Early definitive wound cover
How are open fractures classified?
Gustilo Anderson classification
Discuss the Gustilo Anderson classification
Grade I - <1cm long - minimal soft tissue injury - simple, low-energy fracture Grade II - >1cm long - moderate soft tissue injury w/ some mm damage - moderate comminution Grade IIIA - >1cm long - extensive soft tissue injury with adequate ability of soft tissue to cover wound - high-energy fracture, comminuted Grade IIIB - >10cm long - severe loss of soft tissue cover Grade IIIC - >10cm long - severe loss of soft tissue cover with vascular injury
Which antibiotic do you give for a Gustilo Anderson grade I and II?
- 1st gen cephalosporin (cefazolin) 2g IV q8h 2d
- Allergy = clindamycin 900mg IV tds
- MRSA + = vancomycin 15mg/kg IV bd
Which antibiotic do you give for a Gustilo Anderson III?
- 1st gen cephalosporin (cefazolin) 2g IV q8h 2d plus gentamicin/ceftriaxone for 3d
- Metronidazole w/wo penicillin G for soil/fecal contamination
- MRSA + = vancomycin 15mg/kg IV bd
Discuss the post-acute management of open fractures
Operative irrigation and debridement within 6-8h and repeat 24-48h until wound viable External fixation Wound dressing - vac - antibiotic bead pouch Delayed wound closure within 3-7d
Define osteomyelitis
Bone infection with progressive inflammatory destruction
What is the most common mechanism of paediatric osteomyelitis?
Hematogenous seeding of bacteria to metaphyseal region of bone
How do you diagnose acute hematogenous osteomyelitis?
Kocher criteria
Discuss the Kocher criteria
- Non-weight bearing on affected side
- ESR>40mm/hr
- Fever
- WBC>12000
Probability: 4/4 = 99% 3/4 = 93% 2/4 = 40% 1/4 = 3%
How does acute haematogenous osteomyelitis present clinically?
Non-weight bearing on affected side
Fever
Bone tenderness on palpation
What investigations should you perform in acute hematogenous osteomyelitis?
XR to exclude fractures Bloods - ESR - CRP - WCC
How do you manage acute hematogenous osteomyelitis?
Refer to orthopaedics
No antibiotics
Drain pus
Send pus for MCS
How do you manage acute hematogenous osteomyelitis?
Refer to orthopaedics
No antibiotics
Drain pus
Send pus for MCS
Why do we not give antibiotics in acute osteomyelitis?
Patient is presenting with clinical signs therefore past bone oedema phase and in abscess phase, therefore manage as an abscess
What is the most common organism involved in acute osteomyelitis?
Staph aureus
Name risk factors for acute osteomyelitis
Recent trauma Recent surgery Immunocompromised Haemoglobinopathy RA Chronic renal disease IV drug use Microvascular disease Peripheral neuropathy
What are the mechanisms of acute osteomyelitis spread?
Haematogenous
Direct inoculation
Contiguous focus
Name XR findings in osteomyelitis
Early - normal - loss of soft tissue planes - soft tissue oedema - new periosteal bone formation 5-7d - osteolysis 10-14d Late - metaphysical rarefaction - abscess - mottled, non-homogenous, moth eaten appearance
What occurs in chronic osteomyelitis after the area of bone has been destroyed by acute infection?
Sequestra surrounded by dense sclerosed bone which provoke chronic seropurulent discharge which escape through sinus at the skin surface
Define sequestrum
Dead bone
How does sequestrum appear on XR?
Sclerotic (more white)
Define involucrum
New bone formation around dead bone to protect the bone from breaking
Define a sinus
A hole in the skin draining fluid
What is a “sinus” in the bone cortex called?
Cloaca
Define a fracture
A break in the continuity of the bone cortex
Name the red flags of back pain
BACK PAIN Bowel/bladder dysfunction Anesthesia (saddle paresthesia) Constitutional symptoms Khronic disease Paresthesias Age >50yo or <15yo IV drug use Neuromotor deficits
Other: Weight loss Pain at night, while sleeping, at rest Morning stiffness Sensory loss Fever Cancer history Hypercalcemia
What questions should be asked on history in back pain?
SOCRATES
Site Onset Characteristics Radiation Associated symptoms Time Exacerbating/relieving factors Severity
Define wrist drop
Inability to extend the wrist and the fingers at the metacarpophalangeal joints
Which nerve is affected in wrist drop?
Radial nerve (high lesion)
Name causes of high lesions of the radial nerve
Humeral fracture
Prolonged tourniquet
Saturday night palsy
Which muscles are affected in wrist drop?
Wrist extensors
- Extensor carpi radialis longus
- Extensor carpi radialis brevis
- Extensor carpi ulnaris
- Extensor digitorum
- Extensor digiti minimi
Which nerve is affected in foot drop?
Common peroneal/fibular nerve
Define foot drop
Weak dorsiflexion and eversion of the foot resulting in tendency to trip and fall while walking
Which muscles are affected in foot drop?
Tibialis anterior
Extensor hallucis longus
Extensor digitorum longus
Fibularis tertius
Name mechanisms of injury of the axillary nerve
Proximal humerus fracture
Humeral neck fracture
Shoulder dislocation
How do you examine the motor function of the axillary nerve?
Isometric deltoid contraction
Place hand on the lateral side of the injured arm to prevent movement and other hand on the deltoid to feel contraction
How do you examine the sensory function of the axillary nerve?
Numbness over the deltoid
Difficult to test due to pain
Name mechanisms of injury to the radial nerve
Very high lesion - crutch palsy High lesion - humeral fracture - prolonged tourniquet pressure - Saturday night palsy Low lesion - elbow fracture - elbow dislocation
How do you examine the motor function of the radial nerve?
Very high lesion:
Triceps paralyzed and wasted
High lesion:
Wrist extension
Thumbs up
Low lesion:
Metacarpophalangeal joint extension
How do you examine the sensory function of the radial nerve?
Dorsum of the 1st web space
Name mechanisms of injury to the median nerve
High lesion - supracondylar fracture - elbow dislocation Low lesion - carpal dislocation - cuts in the front of the wrist