Orthopaedics Flashcards
What is osteoarthritis?
Wear and tear in synovial joints
Imbalance between cartilage damage and chondrocyte response
What are the risk factors for osteoarthritis?
Obesity
Age
Occupation
Trauma
Female
FHx
Which joints are commonly affected in OA?
Hips
Knees
DIP hands
CMC thumb
Lumbar spine
Cervical spondylosis
What xray changes are seen in OA?
L- Loss of joint space
O- Osteophytes
S- Subarticular sclerosis (increased density bone along joint line)
S- Subchondral cysts (fluid filled holes in bone)
Outline presentation of OA
Joint pain and stiffness- Worse with activity and at end of day
Bulky, bony enlargement of joint
Restricted ROM
Crepitus on movement
Effusions (fluid) around joint
What are the hand signs in OA?
Heberden’s nodes (DIP)
Bouchard’s nodes (PIP)
Squaring at base of thumb
Weak grip
Reduced ROM
Outline diagnosis of OA
Clinical diagnosis if >45y, has typical pain associated with activity and no morning stiffness
Outline management of OA
Therapeutic exercise, weight loss, OT
1st line- Topical NSAIDs
Oral NSAIDs as required (with PPI)
Intra-articular steroid injections- Improve symptoms for up to 10wks
Joint replacement
What are the SEs of NSAIDs
GI- Gastritis and peptic ulcers
Renal- AKI and CKD
CV- HTN, HF, MI, stroke
Exacerbating asthma
What are the indications for joint replacement?
OA (most common)
Fractures
Septic arthritis
Osteonecrosis
Bone tumours
RA
What are the options for joint replacement?
Total- Replace both articular surfaces of joint
Hemiarthroplasty- Replace half joint
Partial joint resurfacing- Replace part of joint surface
Outline what occurs during joint replacement surgery in terms of anaesthetics and drugs
General anaesthetic
Prophylactic ABs
TXA
What guidance regarding VTE prophylaxis is given after joint replacement surgery?
LMWH:
28d hip
14d knee
Can also use aspirin, DOAC or anti-embolism stocking
What are the risk factors for prosthetic joint infection?
Prolonged operative time
Obesity
Diabetes
What are the symptoms of a prosthetic joint infection?
Fever
Pain
Swelling
Erythema
Increased warmth
Outline prosthetic joint infections
More likely to occur in revision surgery
Most common- Staph aureus
Outline diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection
Clinical findings
Xrays
Raised inflammatory markers
Cultures (blood or synovial fluid
Outline management of prosthetic joint infection
Repeat surgery- Joint irrigation/debridement/complete replacement
Prolonged ABs
What is a compound fracture?
Skin broken, broken bone exposed to air
What is a stable fracture?
Sections of bone remain in alignment
What is a pathological fracture?
Bone breaks due to abnormality within bone
What is a comminuted fracture?
Breaks into multiple fragments
What is a Salter-Harries fracture?
Growth plate fracture
Only occurs in children
What is a greenstick fracture?
Bone cracks on one side- Not all way through bone
More common in children
What is a buckle fracture?
Most common fracture in young children
Bone soft and flexible- Bends- Bulge in bone rather than break
What is a Colle’s fracture?
Transverse fracture of distal radius
Distal portion displaced posteriorly- Dinner fork deformity
FOOSH
Outline scaphoid fracture
Caused by FOOSH
Located at base of thumb
Tenderness in anatomical snuffbox
Has retrograde blood supply- Avascular necrosis and non-union
Outline Weber classification
Fractures of lateral malleolus
Type A- Below ankle joint- Leaves syndesmosis intact
Type B- Level of ankle joint- Syndesmosis intact/partially torn
Type C- Above ankle joint- Syndesmosis disrupted
What are the main cancers that metastasise to bones?
Po- Prostate
R- Renal
Ta- Thyroid
B- Breast
Le- Lung
What are fragility fractures?
Occur due to weakness in bone
Usually due to osteoporosis
Risk defined by FRAX score
Outline FRAX score
Risk of fragility fracture over next 10y
Uses bone mineral density- DEXA
Uses T score at hip
T >-1, BMD normal
T -1 to -2.5, BMD osteopenia
T <-2.5, BMD osteoporosis
T <-2.5 and fracture, BMD severe osteoporosis
How is the risk of fragility fracture reduced?
1st line:
Calcium and Vit D
Bisphosphonates (eg: Alendronic acid)
Denosumab- Blocks osteoclast activity
What is the MoA of bisphosphonates?
Interfere with osteoclasts and reduce their activity, preventing reabsorption of bone
What are the SEs of bisphosphonates?
Reflux and oesophageal erosions- Take on empty stomach, sit upright 30mins before eating
Atypical fractures
Osteonecrosis of jaw
Osteonecrosis external auditory canal
What imaging is used in fractures?
Xrays- 2 views required
CT scan- If xray inconclusive/further info required
How is mechanical alignment of a fracture achieved?
Closed reduction- Manipulation of limb
Open reduction- Surgery
List the possible early complications of fractures
Damage to local structures
Haemorrhage
Compartment syndrome
Fat embolism
VTE (due to immobility)
List possible long term complications of fractures
Delayed union
Malunion
Non-union
Avascular necrosis
Infection
Joint stability
Joint stiffness
Contractures
Arthritis
Chronic pain
Complex regional pain syndrome
What is a fat embolism?
Can occur following fracture of long bones
Fat globules released into circulation following fracture- Become lodged in blood vessels (eg: Pulmonary arteries)
Can cause systemic inflammatory response- Fat embolism syndrome
Outline presentation of fat embolism
24-72h after fracture
Gurd’s criteria
List Gurd’s major criteria for fat embolism
Respiratory distress
Petechial rash
Cerebral involvement
List Gurd’s minor criteria for fat embolism
Jaundice
Thrombocytopenia
Fever
Tachycardia
What is the prognosis of fat embolism?
Can lead to multiple organ failure
Supportive management and operate early to fix fracture
Mortality rate- Approx. 10%
List risk factors for hip fractures
Increasing age
Osteoporosis
Female
What is the timing for starting to operate on a hip fracture?
Within 48h
Where is the intertrochanteric line?
Between the greater and lesser trochanter
What is an intra-capsular hip fracture?
Break in femoral neck within capsule of hip joint
Affects area proximal to intertrochanteric line
Outline Garden classification
Used for intracapsular NOF fractures
Grade I- Incomplete fracture and non-displaced
Grade II- Complete fracture and non-displaced
Grade III- Partial displacement (trabeculae at angle)
Grade IV- Full displacement (trabeculae parallel)
Outline non-displaced intra-capsular fracture
Internal fixation (screws)
Intact blood supply
Outline displaced intra-capsular fractures
Replace head of femur
Disrupted blood supply
When is a total hip replacement offered?
Patients who can walk independently and fit for surgery
What is hemiarthroplasty and when is it offered?
Replace head of femur but leave acetabulum in place
Offered to patients with hip fractures who have limited mobility or sig. co-morbidities
What is an extra-capsular fracture?
Blood supply to head of femur intact- Head of femur doesn’t need replacing
Intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures
Outline intertrochanteric fractures
Between lesser and greater trochanter
Dynamic hip screw
Outline subtrochanteric fractures
Distal to lesser trochanter, occurs to proximal shaft of femur
Intramedullary nail
Outline presentation of hip fracture
Pain in groin/hip, may radiate to knee
Unable to weight bear
Shortened, abducted and externally rotated
Outline imaging of hip fractures
1st line- Xray (2 views)
Disruption of Shenton’s line- NOF fracture
MRI/CT if xray negative but fracture still suspected
Outline management of hip fractures
Analgesia
Investigations
VTE prophylaxis (LMWH)
Pre-operative assessment- Bloods and ECG
Admit and surgery within 48h
Should be able to bear weight straight after surgery
What is compartment syndrome?
Abnormally increased pressure within fascial compartment- Cuts off blood flow
Can be acute/chronic
What is acute compartment syndrome?
Associated with acute injury- Bleeding/tissue swelling increases pressure
Outline presentation of compartment syndrome
Presents after acute injury
P- Pain disproportionate to injury
P- Paraesthesia
P- Pale
P- Pressure high
P- Paralysis (late and worrying feature)
Outline management of compartment syndrome
Clinical diagnosis based on signs and symptoms
Needle manometry- Measure compartment pressure
Elevate leg to heart level
Remove external dressings/bandages
Avoid hypotension
Emergency fasciotomy- Explore and debride
Outline chronic compartment syndrome
Usually associated with exertion
Pain, numbness or paraesthesia
NOT AN EMERGENCY
Diagnosis- Needle manometry
Treat- Fasciotomy
What is osteomyelitis?
Inflammation in bone and bone marrow
Usually caused by bacterial infection
Most common cause- Staph aureus
List the risk factors for osteomyelitis
Open fractures
Ortho operations
Diabetes (foot ulcers)
Peripheral artery disease
IV drug use
Immunosuppression
Outline presentation of osteomyelitis
Fever
Pain and tenderness
Erythema
Swelling
Lethargy, nausea and muscle aches
Outline investigations of osteomyelitis
Xray
MRI- Best for establishing diagnosis
Raised inflammatory markers
Blood cultures
Bone cultures
Outline xray findings of osteomyelitis
Periosteal reaction (changes to surface of bone)
Localised osteopenia (thinning of bone)
Destruction of areas of bone
Outline management of osteomyelitis
Surgical debridement
Antibiotic- 6wks flucloxacillin (can add rifampicin or fusidic acid for 1st 2wks)- Clindamycin in penicillin allergy
Which antibiotics are used to treat MRSA?
Vancomycin
Teicoplanin
List different types of bone sarcoma
Osteosarcoma- Most common
Chondrosarcoma- From cartilage
Ewing sarcoma- Bone and soft tissue cancer affecting children
List types of soft tissue sarcoma
Rhabdomyosarcoma- From skeletal muscle
Leiomyosarcoma- From smooth muscle
Liposarcoma- From adipose tissue
Synovial sarcoma- From soft tissue around joints
Angiosarcoma- From blood and lymph vessels
Kaposi’s sarcoma- Caused by HHV8- End-stage HIV- Red/purple raised skin lesions
Outline presentation of sarcoma
Soft tissue lump
Bone swelling
Persistent bone pain
Outline investigations of sarcoma
1st line for bony lumps/persistent pain)- Xray
1st line for soft tissue lumps- US
CT or MRI
Biopsy
Where is the most common site for sarcoma to metastasise to?
Lungs
Outline management of sarcoma
Surgery
Radio/chemotherapy
Palliative care
What are ganglion cysts?
Sacs of synovial fluid from tendon sheaths/joints
Outline presentation of ganglion cysts
Can appear rapidly (days) or gradually
Visible, palpable lump
Not painful
Firm and non-tender
Well-circumscribed
Transilluminates
Outline diagnosis of ganglion cysts
Clinical
US can help confirm
Outline management of ganglion cyst
Conservative
Needle aspiration
Surgical excision
Outline management of carpal tunnel syndrome
Rest and altered activities
Wrist splints to maintain normal position wrist at night (min 4wks)
Steroid injections
Surgery- Local anaesthetic- Cut flexor retinaculum
Outline nerve conduction studies used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome
Small electrical current applied by electrode to median nerve
Demonstrates how well signals passed through carpal tunnel along median nerve
Which special tests are used to test for carpal tunnel syndrome?
Tinel’s- Tap wrist- Numbness and paraesthesia
Phalen’s- Fully flex wrist- Numbness and paraesthesia