Orthopaedics Flashcards
What are the symptoms of compartment syndrome?
*pain out of proportion
*pain on passive stretch
paraesthesia
paralysis
palpable swelling
pulselessness
Which patients do you need to be especially cautious of when you suspect compartment syndrome?
polytrauma sedated patients children when you can't complete examination when they have low pain threshold
What is most common presentation of compartment syndrome?
young 12-19 years
leg
What are the factors that cause pathology of compartment syndrome?
trauma
increased pressure from outside
increased pressure from inside
How would you test for compartment syndrome?
measure compartment pressure - with needle perpendicular to skin
What are some causes of back and neck pain?
vertebral fractures - osteoporosis
disc disorders
secondary malignancy - breast, lung, prostate
mechanical and non-specific back pain
myeloma
RA
inflammatory disorders - ankylosing spondylitis
infections - osteomyelitis, spinal abscess
What are the 4 stages of healing?
hemostasis
inflammatory
proliferative
maturation
What are some complications of lacerations to look out for?
damage to underlying structures extensive lacerations with skin loss in critical sites - e.g. hands, eyes, face tetanus necrotising fasciitis
What commonly infects skin wounds?
staph aeurus
What are some orthopedic and other causes of abnormal or unsteady gait?
childhood hip disorders
joint disorders
non-organic
What are some neurological causes of abnormal or unsteady gait?
PD CP MS spinal cord compression stroke cerebellar disorders peripheral neuropathies myopathies/dystrophies GBS polio motor neuron disease
What are some differentials of joint pain and swelling?
OA RA - adult or JIA trauma seronegative arthritis joint infection crystal synovitis irritable hip in children perthe's disease haemathrosis
What is galeazzi fracture?
fracture of distal 1/3 of radius + dislocation of distal radioulnar joint
What is monteggia?
fracture of proximal 1/3 of head of radius
What are the cardinal signs of OA on XR?
joint space narrowing osteophyte formation subchondral sclerosis subchondral cysts abnormality of bone contour
