Orthopaedics Flashcards
How are paediatric fractures involving the growth plate classified?
Salter-Harris System
I: Fracture through the physis only (x-ray often normal)
II: Fracture through the physis and metaphysis
III: Fracture through the physis and epiphyisis to include the joint
IV: Fracture involving the physis, metaphysis and epiphysis
V: Crush injury involving the physis (x-ray may resemble TI and appear normal)
In paediatric fractures, what is a complete fracture?
Both sides of the cortex are breached
In paediatric fractures, what is a toddlers fracture?
Oblique tibial fracture in infants
In paediatric fractures, what is a plastic deformity?
Stress on bone resulting in deformity without cortical disruption
In paediatric fractures, what is a greenstick fracture?
Unilateral cortical breach only
In paediatric fractures, what is a buckle fracture?
Incomplete cortical disruption resulting in periosteal haemotoma only
What types of salter-harris fractures will usually require surgery?
Which are often associated with disruption to growth?
Surgery: Types III, IV and V
Disruption to growth: Type V
What nerve root is the triceps reflex?
Radial C7
What palsy results in wrist drop?
Radial (C5-8)
What is meralgia paraesthetica?
Burning sensation over antero-lateral aspect of thigh due to compression of the lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh
What features of leg pain might make you suspect a prolapsed lumbar disk?
Clear dermatomal pain and neurological deficits
Leg pain worse than back
Pain often worse when sitting
What features would you expect in L3 nerve compression?
Sensory loss over anterior thigh
Weak quadriceps
Reduced knee reflex
Positive femoral stretch test (Mackiewicz sign) - patient lies prone, the knee is passively flexed to the thigh and the hip is passively extended ; the test is positive if the patient experiences anterior thigh pain.
What features would you expect in L4 nerve compression?
Sensory loss anterior aspect of knee
Weak quadriceps
Reduced knee reflex
Positive femoral stretch test
What features would you expect in L5 nerve compression?
Sensory loss dorsum of foot
Weakness in foot and big toe dorsiflexion
Reflexes intact
Positive sciatic nerve stretch test (straight leg raise until pain in buttocks/thigh/calf, dorsiflex foot at this point of discomfort - test is positive if additional pain results)
What features would you expect in S1 nerve compression?
Sensory loss posterolateral aspect of leg and lateral aspect of foot
Weakness in plantar flexion of foot
Reduced ankle reflex
Positive sciatic nerve stretch test
What is the most common causative organism in osteomyelitis?
What is the patient has sickle-cell anaemia?
Staph aureus
If sickle, then salmonella more common
What conditions predispose to osteomyelitis?
- DM
- Sickle cell
- IVDU
- Immunosuppression
- XS EtOH
What is the Ix of osteomyelitis?
MRI (90-100% sensitivity)
What is the Mx of osteomyelitis?
Flucloxacillin for 6 weeks
Clindamycin if penicillin allergic
What is Parsonage-Turner syndrome?
A rare peripheral neuropathy typically involving the shoulder/arm.
Rapid onset of severe pain in the shoulder and arm, followed by wasting and weakness.
May complicate viral illness and usually resolves spontaneously.
What is calcific tendonitis?
Calcium crystals (apatite crystals) deposit in tendons, causing sudden attacks of painful inflammation.
- Painful swelling around the joint (most commonly shoulder)
- Bulging tendons due to crystal deposits
- Redness and tenderness around the joint.
What is impingement syndrome? What causes it?
Narrowing of the subacromial space (between anterior edge of the acromion and humeral head). Impinges the supraspinatus tendon -> inflammation.
Anything narrowing gap can cause:
- Subacromial spurs (bony projections from the acromion)
- Osteoarthritic spurs on the acromioclavicular joint
- Thickening or calcification of the coracoacromial ligament
- LOF of the rotator cuff muscles (injury or wasting) may cause the humerus to move superiorly, resulting in impingement.
- Inflammation and subsequent thickening of the subacromial bursa
What is Leriche syndrome?
What is the classic triad of symptoms?
What is the Ix?
Atherosclerotic disease of AA +/- iliac, compromising blood flow to the pelvic viscera.
- Claudication of the buttocks and thighs
- Atrophy of the leg muscles
- Impotence (L1 paralysis)
Ix: Angiography (+ angioplasty/stenting as Mx)
What is a Colles’ fracture?
Commonly after FOOSH
- Transverse fracture of the radius
- 1 inch proximal to the radio-carpal joint
- Dorsal displacement and angulation
What is a Smith’s fracture?
= Reverse Colles’ fracture, caused by direct blow to the dorsal forearm or falling onto flexed wrists.
Volar angulation of distal radius fragment