Orthopaedics Flashcards
benefits of non surgical management of fractures
- avoid anaesthesia
- avoid open surgery risks
- cheaper?
disadvantages of non surgical management of fractures
- fracture disease
- insufficient stability can cause delayed, mal or non-union
- cast sores, ischaemia
suitable fractures for conservative management
- pelvis
- scapula
- vertebrae
- stable minimally displaced fractures
conservative management of fractures
- restricted activity
- confinement
- 4-6 weeks
- prevent weight bearing (carpal flexion bandage, velpeau sling)
external coaptation for fractures
- compressive forces transmitted to bones by means of interposed soft tissues
- cast, splint, bandage
- pressure must be evenly distributed throughout the cast to avoid circulatory stasis
- immobilise joint above and below the fracture
suitable fractures for external coaptation
- fractures distal to elbow or stifle
- stable fractures
- 50% overlap of fracture fragments
- one bone fracture in 2 bone segment
cast application steps
- stockinette, double layer
- sofban, overlap 50% each layer
- don’t put too much over bony prominences - fibreglass impregnated polyurethane
- wear gloves, immerse in water
- some tension, 6 layers (up 3, down 3), more at bends, avoid wrinkles - cut cast using cast saw
- secure cast back together with non-stretch tape
- check for any sharp edges, fold over excess sofban and stocking
- check toe nails and pads not protruding (toes will splay if swollen)
complications of external coaptation
- ischaemic injury
- mild dermatitis to avascular necrosis
- owner compliance
- due to bad care and inappropriate case selection
fracture disease
- occurs during the time necessary for the bone to heal, a result of fracture management
- joint stiffness, osteoporosis, atrophy
how to avoid fracture disease
- aim for rapid return to weight bearing
- avoid unnecessary immobilisation of joints by external coaptation
- consider other options that cause less fracture disease
fracture reduction definition
replacing the fracture segments in their original anatomical position
fractures that can be reduced closed
- recent, stable fractures
- lower limb- easier to reduce and palpate due to less soft tissue
toggling reduction definition
- transverse fractures
- bend fracture 180 degrees and engage ends
- straighten limb, attach bone plate
intramedullary pins as internal skeletal fixation
broad choices for fracture fixation
- conservative
- external coaptation
- external skeletal fixation
- internal skeletal fixation (pins, plates)
intramedullary pins as internal skeletal fixation option
- rarely used alone, combined with plate or external skeletal fixation (ESF)
- not effective in preventing rotation
- kirschner wires, steinmann pins
- used alone in metacarpal/tarsal fractures
complications with intramedullary pins
- too long or short
- difficultly in retrieval
- loosening and migration
- seroma (irritation)
- fracture non-union
interlocking nail as internal skeletal fixation option
- intramedullary pin with holes, locked in place with screws preventing rotation
- needs jig (shows where holes are on outside of bone)
bone plates and screws as internal skeletal fixation option
- restore bone structure to restore weight bearing function
functions: - compress bone fragments
- neutralise fracture forces
- bridge the fracture
screw lag fashion
- compresses fragments together to enable rapid healing without callus
threaded pins
- negative profile (ellis)
- positive profile (imex)
connecting bars in external skeletal fixation
- stainless steel/carbon
- reusable, rounded ends, steel heavy
- acrylic/putty
- light, no limit to pin size or closeness, no protruding pin ends to irritate
clamps for external skeletal coaptation
- for connecting pins to bars
- limit to pin and bar size
- reusable