Orthopaedics

Question 1

Symptoms of a dorsal column lesion

Answer 1

• loss of vibration and proprioception
• tabes dorsalis (neurosyphillis), SACD (subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord is a neurological complication of vitamin B12 deficiency)

Question 2

Symptoms of spinothalamic tract lesion

Answer 2

• loss of pain, sensation and temperature

Question 3

Symptoms of central cord lesion

Answer 3

• flaccid paralysis of the upper limbs

Question 4

Features of osteomyelitis

Answer 4

• normally progressive
• staph aureus in IVDU, normally cervical region affected
• fungal infections in immunocompromised
• thoracic region affected by TB

Question 5

Symptoms of cord compression

Answer 5

• UMN signs
• malignancy
• haematoma
• fracture

Question 6

Brown-square syndrome

Answer 6

• hemisection of the spinal cord
• ipsilateral paralysis
• ipsilateral loss of proprioception and fine discrimination
• contralateral loss of pain and temperature

Question 7

Scaphoid fracture

Answer 7

Pain on longitudinal compression of the thumb - thumb telescoping