ORTHOPAEDICS Flashcards
What are the classic signs of a hip fracture?
shortened and externally rotated leg
What are the classic signs of a hip fracture?
shortened and externally rotated leg
What is the classification of hip fractures?
intracapsular (subcapital): from the edge of the femoral head to the insertion of the capsule of the hip joint
extracapsular: these can either be trochanteric or subtrochanteric (the lesser trochanter is the dividing line)
Describe the Garden classification of hip fractures.
Type I: Stable fracture with impaction in valgus (oblique displacement)
Type II: Complete fracture but undisplaced
Type III: Displaced fracture, usually rotated and angulated, but still has boney contact
Type IV: Complete boney disruption
Which types of hip fracture are most likely to disrupt blood supply?
Type III and IV
What is the management of an undisplaced intracapsular hip fracture?
internal fixation
hemiarthroplasty if unfit.
What is the management of a displaced intracapsular hip fracture?
total hip replacement
What is the management of stable extracapsular hip fractures?
dynamic hip screw
What is the management of an unstable extracapsular hip fracture?
Intramedullary device
What is the management of open fractures?
- IV broad spectrum antibiotics
- Debridement (and internal fixation devices avoided or used with extreme caution)
Open fractures constitute an emergency and should be debrided and lavaged within 6 hours of injury
Which classification system is used to distinguish open from closed injuries?
Gustilo and Anderson classification system
What is a comminuted fracture?
> 2 fragments
What is a segmental fracture?
More than one fracture along a bone
What is a transverse fracture?
Perpendicular to long axis of the bone
What is a spiral fracture?
Severe oblique fracture with rotation along long axis of bone
Which classification system is used to assess paediatric fractures?
Salter-Harris
What is a type I Salter-Harris fracture?
Fracture through the physis only (x-ray often normal)
What is a type II Salter-Harris fracture?
Fracture through the physis and metaphysis
What is a Salter-Harris III fracture?
Fracture through the physis and epiphyisis to include the joint
What is a Salter-Harris IV fracture?
Fracture involving the physis, metaphysis and epiphysis
What is a Salter-Harris V fracture?
Crush injury involving the physis (x-ray may resemble type I, and appear normal)
What is a greenstick fracture?
Unilateral cortical breach only
What is a Buckle fracture?
Incomplete cortical disruption resulting in periosteal haematoma only
What is a Toddler’s fracture?
Oblique tibial fracture in infants
What are the Ottawa ankle rules?
These state that x-rays are only necessary if there is pain in the malleolar zone and:
- Inability to weight bear for 4 steps
- Tenderness over the distal tibia
- Bone tenderness over the distal fibula
Describe the Weber classification.
Type A is below the syndesmosis
Type B fractures start at the level of the tibial plafond and may extend proximally to involve the syndesmosis
Type C is above the syndesmosis which may itself be damaged