Orthopaedics

Question 1

How do you interpret a CT-head?

Answer 1

BCBVB
‘Blood Can Be Very Bad’

Blood
Cisterns (suprasellar, Sylvian, ambient, Fourth V)
Brain (Sulcal effacement; Grey-white matter differentiation; foci)
Ventricles (dilation; blood; effacement)
Bone (calvarium and skull base)

Question 2

How do you interpret an AXR?

Answer 2

RIPE BBC

Bowel (and viscera)
Bones
Calcification

Question 3

How do you interpret a plain film appendicular X-Ray?

Answer 3

ABCS

Adequacy/ Alignment
Bones (cortical; bone quality; symmetry)
Cartilage
Soft tissues

Question 4

What are the key features of an Orthopaedic history?

Answer 4

Weight loss
Night sweats
Fevers
Appetitie

Bone pain

Calcinosis
Raynaud’s
Oesophageal dysmotility
Sclerodactyly
Telangiectasia

Rashes

Stiffness
Swelling

Question 5

What score is used to assess hypermobility?

Answer 5

Beighton score
5/9 = positive

Question 6

What are the complications of Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Answer 6

Anterior uveitis
Aortic regurgitation
AV node block
Apical fibrosis
Amyloidosis
Achilles tendonitis

Question 7

What markers of bone turnover exist?

Answer 7

Serum C Telopeptide (CTx)

Question 8

Upon suspicion of Dermatomyositis, what condition must be ruled out?

Answer 8

Cancer

Question 9

In gout, how may the crystals appear from a joint aspirate?

Answer 9

Negatively birefringent

Question 10

What examination triad should be used to assess for Achilles tendon rupture?

Answer 10

Simmons triad:
- Angle of declination
- Palpation of the tendon
- Calf squeeze test

Question 11

What are the risk factors for Achilles tendon rupture?

Answer 11

Steroid use
Injecting
Trauma
Fluoroquinolone use
Diabetes
Age
Obesity