Orthopedics and Rheumatology Flashcards
State the common name for a cervical neck sprain and state the common S/S.
AKA whiplash
S/S: neck stiffness/pain, paraspinal tenderness and spasm, positive Spurling test
Describe the treatment for cervical sprain.
soft collar 2-3 days, ice/heat, analgesics, gentle active ROM soon after injury.
What is the most common cause of back pain?
Thoracic or lumbar strain due to lifting or strenuous activity.
What is the common treatment of back strain?
If no radicular (neuro) S/S - NSAIDs, rest, ice, PT, re-evaluate after 4 weeks.
What is the most common pharmacological therapy for back strain?
Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine)
Other than back strain, what is the most common cause of low back pain?
prolapsed intervertebral disk
What are the common clinical features associated with prolapsed/herniated disk?
Point tenderness, sciatica, pain radiating down butt or leg, pain worsens with standing.
What clinical features are most associated with spinal stenosis in the elderly?
Pain increased by walking and relieved by leaning forward.
What S/S associated with low back pain are considered “red flags”.
fever, weight loss, morning stiffness, IVDU, steroid history, trauma, cancer, saddle anesthesia, loss of anal sphincter tone, motor weakness.
What imaging tests are used when red flag S/S are present with low back pain?
Emergent X-ray, CT to ID bony stenosis and lateral nerve root entrapment, MRI to ID cord pathology, neural tumors, herniated disks, and infections.
What is the treatment for herniated disk?
Rest up to 2 days, progressive walking to normal activity, PT, CT/MRI if 6 weeks of conservative therapy fails, surgery considered if conservative therapy fails.
What are clinical features associated with tendonitis?
Pain with movement, swelling, impaired function. Typically resolves over several weeks but recurrence is common.
What is the best pharmacological therapy for tendonitis or other joint injury?
NSAIDs help but don’t penetrate tendon circulation. Steroid injection + anesthesia may be beneficial.
Define cauda equina syndrome.
Midline disk herniation that compresses several nerve roots, usually at L4-L5 level.
What are the common S/S associated with cauda equina syndrome?
Incontinence, decreased lower extremity sensation and strength, leg pain, saddle anesthesia, paralysis.
How is the diagnosis of cauda equina made and what is the treatment?
Dx: MRI
Tx: surgical emergency
Define costochondritis and state common associated S/S.
Def: inflammation of cartilage in the rib cage.
S/S: pain to touch, radiating pain down limbs, chest pain worse with inspiration.
What is the most common cause of radial nerve injury?
Humerus fracture
What x-ray finding is associated with a distal humerus fracture?
Posterior fat pad or sail sign.
What is the treatment for a humerus fracture?
Sugar tong splint (distal) Coaptation splint (shaft)
What is the most common pediatric elbow fracture? What is the most common MOI and what is the x-ray finding?
Supracondylar fracture
MOI: fall to outstretched hand
XR: anterior fat pad (dark area on either side of bone)
What is the treatment for a supracondylar fracture?
Posterior long arm splint
What is the most common MOI of a radial head fracture and what is the treatment?
MOI: fall on outstretched hand
Tx: sling or long arm splint at 90 degrees
What is the common name for radial head subluxation and what is the treatment?
AKA nursemaid’s elbow. Tx –> simultaneous flexion and supination
Define Monteggia fracture.
Proximal ulnar shaft fracture with radial head dislocation.
What is the common MOI and treatment for Monteggia fracture?
MOI: fall on outstretched hand
Tx: ORIF
Define Galeazzi fracture, state the most common MOI and the most common treatment.
Def: distal radial shaft fracture, dislocation of ulna
MOI: fall on outstretched hand
Tx: ORIF or long arm splint
Define Colles fracture, state the most common MOI and the most common treatment.
Def: dorsally angulated extra articular distal radius fracture –> dinner fork deformity.
MOI: fall on outstretched hand
Tx: sugar tong splint
Define Smith fracture, state the most common MOI and the most common treatment.
Def: extra-articular fracture of radius with anterior displacement - garden spade deformity
MOI: fall with palm closed or hand flexed
Tx: usually ORIF