Orthopaedics Flashcards
What is ankylosis?
Stiffening of a joint with fibrous/bony union across it
What is arthrodesis?
Surgical fusion of a joint
What is arthroplasty?
Creation of an artificial joint
What is arthroscopy?
“Keyhole” joint inspection/surgery
What is osteotomy?
Surgical cutting/wedging and realignment of bone
What is spondylolisthesis?
Slippage of one vertebra over another
What is spondylolysis?
Defect in pars interarticularis of a vertebra
What is spondylosis?
Degenerative disease of the spine
What is valgus deformity?
Deformity of limb laterally from its normal axis
What is varus deformity?
Deformity of limb medially from its normal axis
Which movements test bones/muscles in the neck? Which joints are responsible for these movements?
Flexion, extension (atlanto-occipital joint) Rotation (atlanto-axial joint) Lateral flexion (cervical spine)
Which type of XR is used to investigate the cervical spine?
Cross-table lateral XR
What is assessed on a cross-table lateral XR of the cervical spine?
Alignment: of vertebral bodies, spinous processes, spinal canal Bone contours Cartilages Soft tissues All 7 cervical vertebrae should be seen!
What is cervical spondylosis?
Degeneration of the cervical spine (annulus fibrosis degenerates, bony spurs form)
List clinical features of cervical spondylosis
Slow-onset neck stiffness
Pain, radiating to shoulders/occiput
Radicular pain
Outline treatment for cervical spondylosis
Pain relief
Physiotherapy
Surgical decompression of nerve impingement
List clinical features of a prolapsed cervical disc
Stiff neck
Arm pain
Dermatomal distribution of symptoms if nerve root compression
Which cervical joint is the most unstable?
Atlanto-axial joint
Very prone to subluxation
What is cervical rib?
Congenital development of the costal process of C7 produces a rib-like deformity
List clinical features of cervical rib
Pain Numbness in hand/forearm Muscle wasting Thoracic outlet compression Weak radial pulse Forearm cyanosis
Outline treatment for cervical rib
Physiotherapy to strengthen shoulder elevators
Surgical removal of rib
What is torticollis?
Dystonia due to sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscle spasm
List clinical features of torticollis
Tilted head
Retarded facial growth
Thickened muscle
Nodding spasms
Respectively, what is the most likely shoulder pathology if a patient presents with generalised pain on movement vs. pain on specific movement?
Generalised pain: arthritis, capsulitis
Specific pain: impingement, muscle tear
Which rotator cuff is responsible for shoulder abduction?
Supraspinatus
Which rotator cuff is responsible for shoulder extension?
Teres minor
Which rotator cuff is responsible for shoulder internal rotation?
Subscapularis
Which rotator cuff is responsible for shoulder external rotation?
Infraspinatus
Which shoulder pathologies are the following tests used for: Jobe’s test, Hawkin’s test, apprehension test, scarf test?
Jobe’s test for impingement/supraspinatus tear
Hawkin’s test for impingement
Apprehension test for instability
Scarf test for acromioclavicular joint disease
List aetiology/risk factors for shoulder instability
Atraumatic (5%): ligamentous laxity, teenagers
Traumatic: usually anterior subluxation/dislocation
What is biceps tendonitis?
Inflamed long head of biceps causes anterior shoulder pain
List clinical features of biceps tendonitis
Resisted biceps contraction causes pain Popeye deformity (bulky biceps)
Outline treatment of biceps tendonitis
Pain relief
Physiotherapy
Surgical division of tendon with attachment to humerus
What is painful arc syndrome?
Rotator cuff tendons (mainly supraspinatus) become compressed in tight subacromial space during abduction (45-160’)
List aetiology/risk factors for painful arc syndrome
Tendonitis Subacromial bursitis Acromioclavicular osteoarthritis (osteophytes) Hooked acromion rotator cuff tear Calcification
List clinical features of painful arc syndrome
Pain on abduction up to 160’
Tenderness
Cervical radiculopathy
Outline treatment of painful arc syndrome
Physiotherapy
Pain relief
IA steroid
Surgical decompression
List aetiology/risk factors for rotator cuff tears
Degeneration
Trauma
Sudden jerky movements
List clinical features of rotator cuff tear
Weak initation of abduction
Muscle wasting
Full-range passive movement
Shoulder tip pain
Outline treatment of rotator cuff tear
Open/arthroscopic repair if complete tear
Otherwise physiotherapy and pain relief
What is adhesive capsulitis?
Frozen shoulder occurring over long period of time, usually in elderly
List aetiology/risk factors for adhesive capsulitis
Elderly Innoccuous trigger Post-surgery Diabetes Hypercholesterolaemia Dupuytren's contracture
Which muscles are responsible for elbow flexion and extension?
Flexion: biceps, brachialis
Extension: triceps
Which muscles are responsible for forearm supination and pronation?
Supination: supinator, biceps
Pronation: pronator teres
What is lateral epicondylitis?
“tennis elbow”
Inflammation of lateral common extensor tendon
List aetiology/risk factors for lateral epicondylitis
Repetitive strain injury involving extension
Degenerative enthesopathy
List clinical features of lateral epicondylitis
Painful tender lateral epicondyle
Pain on resisted middle finger + wrist extension
Outline treatment of lateral epicondylitis
Self-limiting Rest from activity Pain relief Physiotherapy IA steroid Elbow brace if unresolving, surgical division/excision of fibres
What is medial epicondylitis?
“golfer elbow”
Inflammation of medial common flexor tendon
Less common than lateral epicondylitis
Which nerve must you be wary of when giving IA steroid for medial epicondylitis?
Ulnar nerve
What is olecranon bursitis?
“student elbow”
Inflammation of bursae due to repetitive/prolonged pressure on elbow
List aetiology/risk factors for olecranon bursitis
Studying medicine
Gout
Septic joint
What investigation should you do for olecranon bursitis?
Aspirate swelling and send for Gram stain + microscopy
Outline treatment for olecranon bursitis
Injected hydrocortisone
Drain septic bursa + antibiotics
Self-limiting
What is cubital tunnel syndrome?
Compression/irritation of ulnar nerve as it passes behind medial epicondyle
List aetiology/risk factors for cubital tunnel syndrome
Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (narrowing of ulnar groove)
Tight band of Osborne fascia
Tight IM septum between flexor carpi ulnartis
Fluid overload
List clinical features of cubital tunnel syndrome
Paraesthesia over medial 1.5 digits
Clumsy, weak hand
Tinel’s sign (percuss over ulnar nerve illicits symptom)
Froment’s sign (weak adductor pollicis)
Outline treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome
Surgical decompression +/- transposition of nerve to front of elbow
If someone has a total elbow replacement, what is the maximum weight they can lift?
2.5 kg
What is Dupuytren’s contracture?
Progressive painless fibrotic thickening of palmar fascia due to type 3 collagen deposition (instead of type 1)
Normal fascial bands form nodules and cords, causing contractures of fingers
List aetiology/risk factors for Dupuytren’s contracture
Genetic (autosomal dominant) Smoking Antiepileptics (phenytoin) Liver disease Males Cirrhosis
List clinical features of Dupuytren’s contracture
Puckered skin Usually ring + little finger affected MCP + PIP flexion Peyronie's disease of penis Ledderhose's disease (plantar fibromatosis)
Outline treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture
Fasciectomy if PIP joint stiffening
Fasciotomy
Amputation
Steroid injection for short-term symptom relief
What is trigger finger?
Disproportion of tendon to its sheath causes fixed flexion deformity
Nodular tendon enlargement distal to fascial pulley over metacarpal head (usually A1 pulley) causes intermittent locking of finger
Outline treatment for trigger finger
Steroid injection into region of nodule
Surgical fixation
What is a ganglion cyst?
Common mucinous cyst found adjacent to tendon or synovial joint
List clinical features of ganglion cyst
Localised pain
Firm/smooth/rubbery swelling
Transilluminates
Outline treatment of ganglion cyst
Needle aspiration
Surgery if painful but not for cosmesis
What is De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
Thickened tendons of abductor pollicis longus and extensoru pollicis brevis
List clinical features of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
Pain over radial styloid process
Worse on stretching (lifting teapot)
Finkelstein’s sign (sharply pull relaxed thumb to cause ulnar deviation)
Outline treatment of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
NSAID
Hydrocortisone injection
Tendon decompression surgery
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Compression/irritation of median nerve within the carpal tunnel
List aetiology/risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome
Arthritis Fluid overload (pregnancy, renal failure) Diabetes Tendonitis Swelling Fractures (Colles)
List clinical features of carpal tunnel syndrome
Paraesthesiae over lateral 3.5 digits Worse at night, need to "shake it off" Weak, clumsy hand Thenar wasting Tinel's sign Phalen's sign (hold wrist hyperflexed to reproduce symptoms)
Outline treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome
Wrist splints
Pain relief
Steroid injection
Surgical decompression by dividing transverse carpal ligament
List aetiology/risk factors for exaggerated kyphosis/lordosis
Osteoporosis Spina bifida Cancer Wedge fractures Tuberculosis Ankylosing spondylitis Paget's disease
List clinical features of exaggerated kyphosis/lordosis
Increased anterior curvature of spine (hump-back)
Paraplegia
List aetiology/risk factors of scoliosis
Idiopathic Congenital Genetics Neuromuscular Marfan's Neurofibromatosis
List clinical features of scoliosis
Greater than 10’ lateral curvature of spine
Pain
Impaired lung function
Rib deformity
List aetiology/risk factors for mechanical back pain
Obesity Poor diet/nutrition Poor posture Poor lifting technique Lack of exercise Psych disorder Degenerative discs Osteoarthritis Spondylosis
List clinical features of mechanical back pain
Pain worse on movement
Muscle spasms
Recurrent “flares”
Outline treatment of mechanical back pain
Conservative pain relief
Physiotherapy
What is disc prolapse?
Herniation of nucleus pulposis through disc and impingement of nerve
List clinical features of disc prolapse
Radiculopathic pain
Burning, tingling pain
+ve straight leg raise
List clinical features of L3/L4 prolapse
L4 entrapment causes pain to medial ankle, reduced knee jerk, reduced quadriceps power
List clinical features of L4/L5 prolapse
L5 entrapment causes pain to dorsum foot, reduced power of knee extension, reduced power of leg extension
List clinical features of L5/S1 prolapse
S1 entrapment causes pain to sole of foot, reduced power of plantarflexion, reduced ankle jerk
Outline treatment of disc prolapse
Analgesia Physiotherapy Early mobilisation Discectomy if unresolving Neuropathic pain meds (gabapentin)
What is lumbar spinal stenosis?
Narrowing lumbar spinal canal, causing nerve root irritation/compression
List aetiology/risk factors for lumbar spine stenosis
Facet joint OA
Osteophytes
Disc prolapse
Ligamentum flavum bulge
List clinical features of lumbar spine stenosis
Neuropathic claudication (pain in legs on walking, usually uphill, burning pain) -ve straight leg raise
Outline treatment of lumbar spine stenosis
Weight loss Pain relief Physiotherapy Spinal canal decompression Surgery
What is cauda equina syndrome?
Compression of all lumbar and sacral nerve roots arising from conus medullaris (L1)
List aetiology/risk factors for cauda equina syndrome
Extrinsic tumour, cord tumour Spondylosis Spinal stenosis Disc prolapse Subarachnoid haemorrhage Fracture of vertebra Trauma
List clinical features of cauda equina syndrome
Bilateral leg pain
Paraesthesiae, typically “saddle anaesthesia”
Urinary and bowel incontinence
What investigations would you do for cauda equina syndrome?
PR exam
Urgent MRI
Outline treatment of cauda equina syndrome
Discectomy
Surgical decompression
List red flags for back pain
New onset back pain Less than 20 yo Over 55 yo Bilateral Associated weakness Constant, unremitting Worse at night Weight loss Systemic upset (fever, night sweats, malaise)
What is the difference between “total hip replacement” and “total hip arthroplasty”?
Arthroplasty is a broader term encompassing resurfacing technique that does not replace the entire femoral head, so technically not a full hip replacement
What is the gold-standard material used for hip replacement?
Cemented metal-polyethylene
List aetiology/risk factors for avascular necrosis
Idiopathic Alcohol abuse Steroid abuse Hypercholesterolaemia Thrombophilia
What would an MRI and XR of avascular necrosis of the femoral head show?
Patchy sclerosis
Lytic zone
Granulation tissue
“hanging rope” sign on XR
Outline treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head
Decompression via drill hole if detected pre-collapse
Otherwise total hip replacement
What is trochanteric bursitis?
Tendonitis and degeneration of insertion of abductor muscles (mainly gluteus medius)
List clinical features of trochanteric bursitis
Pain and tenderness near greater trochanter
Pain on resisted abduction
Outline treatment of trochanteric bursitis
Analgesia
Physiotherapy
Steroid injection
What is chondromalacia patellae?
Patellar aching/weakness associated with dislocation
Who typically gets chondromalacia patellae?
Young women/girls
Service men
List clinical features of chondromalacia patellae
Pain after prolonged sitting/climbing stairs
Retropatellar tenderness
Clarke’s test: pain on patellofemoral compression with tense quadriceps
Outline treatment of chondromalacia patellae
Vastus medialis strengthening
NSAID’s
Arthroscopic lateral retinacular release if ongoing
Why might recurrent patellar subluxation occur?
Tight retinaculum causes patella to sublux laterally, causing medial pain
Who typically gets recurrent patellar subluxation?
Girls
Valgus knees
Joint/ligamentous laxity
High patella
Which part of the knee is typically affected by osteoarthritis?
Posteromedial knee, causing varus deformity
Who typically gets meniscal cysts?
Young men
Usually lateral
What is osteochondritis dissecans?
Osteochondral fragment separates from underlying bone
Usually occurs on lateral side of medial femoral epicondyles in young adults
List clinical features of osteochondritis dissecans
Pain after exercise
Intermittent knee swelling
Locking
Where does bursitis in the knee typically occur?
Pre-patellar (housemaid’s knee)
Infra-patellar (clergyman’s knee)
Outline treatment of knee bursitis
Aspiration
Hydrocortisone injection
Topical NSAID
Antibiotic if suppurative exudate
What is hallux valgus?
Deviation of big toe laterally at metatarsophalyngeal joint
List aetiology/risk factors for hallux valgus
Biomechanical forces Pointed/poorly fitting shoes Heels Rheumatoid NM disease
List clinical features of hallux valgus
Painful
Inflamed bursa over 1st medial metatarsal head (bunion)
Outline treatment of hallux valgus
Bunion pads
Plastic wedges between toes
Metatarsal osteotomy
Arthrodesis
What is hallux rigidus?
Osteoarthritis of the first MTP joint
Outline treatment of hallux rigidus
Wear stiff-soled shoe to limit motion
Remove osteophytes
Arthrodesis is gold-standard
Women can’t wear high-heel shoes after arthrodesis for hallux rigidus. True/False?
True
What are claw toes?
Hyperextension at the MTP joint
Hyperflexion at the PIP joint and DIP joint
What are hammer toes?
Hyperextension at the MTP joint
Hyperflexion at the PIP joint
Hyperextension at the DIP joint
What are mallet toes?
Hyperflexion at the DIP joint
Outline treatment of toe deformities
Toe sleeves Plasters Surgical tenotomy Arthrodesis Tendon transfer
What is pes planus?
Flat feet - medial long arch of foot is low
List aetiology/risk factors of pes planus
Physiological
Familial
Ligamentous laxity
Tibialis posterior tendon stretch
Outline treatment of pes planus
Hindfoot fusion if painful
Generally not for surgery
What is pes cavus?
Abnormally high arch of foot that does not flatten on weight bearing
List aetiology/risk factors for pes cavus
Idiopathic Neuro disorder (spina bifida, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy)
List clinical features of pes cavus
Pain Claw toes Foot fatigue Ankle instability Reduced mobility If foot used to be normal, refer to neurologist
Outline treatment of pes cavus
Orthoses Custom footwear Soft tissue release/tendon transfer Calcaneal osteotomy Arthrodesis if severe
What is Morton’s neuroma?
Pressure/trauma to plantar interdigital nerves nerves overlying intermetatarsal ligaments
Irritated nerves become inflamed and swollen (neuroma)
List clinical features of Morton’s neuroma
Burning/tingling pain radiating laterally Women with high heels Usually 3rd webspace Reduced sensation Mulder's click test
Outline treatment of Morton’s neuroma
Metatarsal pads
Offloading insole
Steroid injection
Excise neuroma
List aetiology/risk factors of Achilles tendonitis
Repetitive strain
Quinolones
Inflammatory arthritis
Gout