Orthopaedics Flashcards
What is a Colles’ fracture?
Extra-articular fracture of the distal radius.
What is a Smith’s fracture?
Extra-articular fracture of the distal radius.
What is the most common mechanism of injury for a Colles’ fracture?
FOOSH with wrists extended, typically occurs as a fragility fracture in people with osteoporotic bone.
What is the mechanism of injury of a Smith’s fracture?
Falling backwards and planting the outstretched hand behind the body in a pronated position with wrists flexed.
What is the difference between Smith’s and Colles’ fractures?
In a Colles’ fracture structures distal to the fracture are displaced posteriorly, whereas in a Smith’s fracture structures distal to the fracture are displaced anteriorly.
Which fracture characteristically produces a dinner fork deformity?
Colles fracture - extra-articular fracture of the distal radius.
Name some risk factors for distal radius fractures.
Increased age Female gender Early menopause Smoking or alcohol excess Prolonged steroid use (RF are mostly associated with osteoporotic bone).
What is the most important thing to check when someone presents with a fracture?
Check for neurovascular compromise.
How do distal radius fractures present?
Immediate pain
Deformity
Swelling
Potential neurological involvement e.g. paraesthesia or weakness.
What is a Barton’s fracture?
Intra-articular fracture of the distal radius with associated dislocation of the radio-carpal joint.
What is the most common mechanism of an ankle fracture?
Usually a low energy rotational force on inversion or eversion that causes the talus to rotate in the mortise.
What classification system is used to classify lateral malleolus fractures?
Weber classification - type A, B or C depending on whether fracture is below, at or above syndesmosis.
What is the Ottawa ankle rules?
When there is diagnostic uncertainty e.g. patient can mobilise and there is no derformity - these rules can be used to decide whether or not the patient should have a plain radiograph (essentially says that if there is bony tenderness or inability to weight bear then an x-ray should be done).
What is the main complication following an ankle fracture?
Post-traumatic arthritis.
What is an ankle sprain?
Ligamentous injury, main differential for an ankle fracture. Mechanism of injury is usually on an inverted plantarflexed foot. A plain radiograph is usually done to rule out fracture.
