Orthopedic Surgery 1 & 2 Flashcards
What are the important things to evaluate with a fracture (Fx)?
- open or closed
- identify the bone
- location and pattern of fx (transverse, oblique, comminuted; break in more than one location…)
- displacement/angulation
How do you treat NONdisplaced CLOSED fractures?
- placed in a splint or cast for definitive treatment.
* monitor soft tissue swelling.
How do you treat DISPLACED CLOSED fractures?
- reduced to anatomic position and may be treated in cast or may need surgery.
What are OPEN fractures?
- a break in the skin and underlying soft tissue leading directly into or communicating with the fx and its hematoma.
- do NOT use term “compound” fx.
** What is the Gustilo system of classification? (TEST QUESTION)
- emphasis on size of skin injury (minor or major soft tissue involvement) in OPEN fxs, used for prognosis.
- the higher you go on the scale, the more likely for bone deformities or infection.
What are TYPE 1 OPEN fractures?
- INSIDE-OUT injury
- clean wound
- minimal soft tissue damage
- no significant periosteal stripping
What are TYPE 2 OPEN fractures?
- OUTSIDE-IN (can bring bacteria in) mechanism
- moderate soft tissue damage
- higher energy injury
- some necrotic muscle, some periosteal stripping
What are TYPE 3A OPEN fractures?
- OUTSIDE-IN injury
- high energy
- extensive muscle devitalization
- bone coverage with existing soft tissue is not problematic.
What are TYPE 3B OPEN fractures?
- OUTSIDE-IN injury
- high energy
- extensive muscle devitalization
- requires a local flap or free flap for bone coverage and soft tissue closure.
- periosteal stripping
What is a TYPE 3C OPEN fracture?
- Type 3B with major vascular injury requiring repair.
- increased risk of amputation.
** What is the most important thing to remember with OPEN fractures? (TEST QUESTION)
ANTIBIOTICS
- Type 1 and 2= 1st generation cephalosporin.
- Type 3= add aminoglycoside.
- severely contaminated or farm-type injuries= add penicillin.
- always check tetanus status.
What is important to remember in regard to films?
- get films of the joint ABOVE and BELOW the fracture.
What is a hemiarthroplasty?
- procedure which replaces one half of the femur or humerus whilst leaving the other half intact when the blood supply has been disrupted by a fracture.
How could you treat a closed right midshaft transverse humerus fracture?
- hanging arm cast -OR-
- intramedullary Rod with screws proximal and distal to the rod to prevent the bone from rotating around the rod (think of it like a shish kabob).
What is a Monteggia fracture?
- fracture of the proximal third of the ulna with dislocation of the head of the radius.
- treat with plat and screws
What makes pediatric fractures different from adult fractures?
- growth plates
- this is why pediatric cases are more commonly treated with closed reductions (casting) vs. surgery, to reduce the risk of growth plate disturbance with surgery.