PAEDS - MSK / DERMATOLOGY Flashcards
LIMP OVERVIEW
What is the main source of a limp?
- Hip, then leg > knee > thigh > foot (least likely)
LIMP OVERVIEW
What are important differentials?
Intra-abdominal pathology like hernia, testicular torsion
LIMP OVERVIEW
What are some differentials for limp in a child 0–3y?
- Trauma like # (accidental or NAI)
- Infections (septic arthritis, osteomyelitis)
- DDH (chronic)
- Malignancy (Ewing’s, osteogenic sarcoma)
- Neuromuscular disease (CP, Duchenne’s)
- ANY CHILD <3Y WITH LIMP NEEDS URGENT ASSESSMENT*
LIMP OVERVIEW
What are some differentials for limp in a child 4–10y?
- Trauma, infection, malignancy
- Transient synovitis (acute)
- Perthe’s disease (P for primary school, chronic)
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (chronic)
LIMP OVERVIEW
What are some differentials for limp in a child >10y?
- Trauma, infection, malignancy
- Slipped upper femoral epiphysis (S for secondary school, acute/chronic)
- JIA
- Reactive arthritis
LIMP OVERVIEW
What are some general investigations for a child presenting with limp?
- Full Hx + exam (top>toe)
- General obs (HR, BP, temp)
- FBC (WCC), CRP/ESR, blood cultures if septic
- XR both AP + lateral for joint (+ joints above/below)
- USS joint to look for thickening of capsule or effusion
DDH
What is developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)?
- Abnormal relationship of femoral head to the acetabulum leading to aberrant development of hip causing instability
- Spectrum of dysplasia (underdevelopment), subluxation (partial dislocation) or frank dislocation of the hip
DDH
What are some risk factors for DDH?
How would you manage them?
- First degree FHx, breech at ≥36w or breech delivery ≥28w, multiple pregnancy
– USS hip by 6w even if normal NIPE exam - Other = F>M 6:1, oligohydramnios
DDH
What is the clinical presentation of DDH?
- Painless limp
- Limited abduction (reduced ROM)
- Leg length discrepancy
- May have waddling or abnormal gait but otherwise well
DDH
What is the main investigation for DDH and what are you looking for?
NIPE at 72h + 6–8w
- Leg length discrepancy
- Restricted hip abduction of affected side
- Barlow + ortolani tests
- Clunking of hips on tests
DDH
What are you assessing for when you look at leg length discrepancy?
Galeazzi/Allis sign = difference in knee length when hips flexed + feet flat on bed
DDH
What are you assessing for when you look at barlow test?
Posterior hip dislocation (adduct hips + press down on knees)
DDH
What are you assessing for when you look at ortolani test?
Relocate a dislocated femoral head (abduct + push thigh anteriorly)
DDH
After the NIPE, what would be the investigation of choice if positive?
What other investigation might you perform?
- USS by 2w of age
- XR may be useful in older infants >3m
DDH
What is the management of DDH?
- If <6m = Pavlik harness to hold femoral head in position (flexed + abducted) to allow the hip socket (acetabulum) to develop normal shape (remove after 6-8w)
- Surgical reduction if harness fails or Dx >6m = hip spica cast to immobilise hip for prolonged period after surgery (risk of avascular necrosis + re-dislocation)
SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
What is septic arthritis?
- Serious infection of the joint space as it can lead to bone destruction
SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
Who is it commonly seen in and how?
- Most common <2y,
- usually from haematogenous + soft tissue swelling
SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
What is the most common causative organism of septic arthritis?
- Staphylococcus aureus
SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
What are common causes in…
i) infants?
ii) <4y?
iii) >4y?
i) GBS, S. aureus, coliforms
ii) S. aureus, pneumococcus, haemophilus
iii) S. aureus, gonococcus (adolescents)
SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
What is the clinical presentation of septic arthritis?
- Usually single joint (knee or hip) + acute onset
- Hot, red, swollen + painful joint (including at rest)
- Refusal to weight bear
- Stiffness + reduced ROM with pain if moved (hip may be held flexed)
- Systemic = fever, lethargy, sepsis
SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
What are some investigations for septic arthritis?
- FBC,
- blood cultures,
- CRP + ESR,
- USS guided joint aspiration for MC&S
SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
what is the criteria for diagnosing septic arthritis?
Kocher’s modified criteria /5, ≥3 is likely
–Temp>38.5
– Raised CRP/ESR/WCC
– Non-weight bearing
SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
What is the management of septic arthritis?
- IV empirical Abx (flucloxacillin) until sensitivities back
- Arthroscopic lavage or surgical drainage if resolution does not occur rapidly or deep-seated joint (hip)
- Immobilise joint initially but then mobilise to prevent deformity
- Rest + analgesia
OSTEOMYELITIS
What is osteomyelitis?
- Infection in the bone + bone marrow, often in the metaphysis of long bones
OSTEOMYELITIS
What are the two different types?
- Acute = rapid presentation with acutely unwell child
- Chronic = deep seated, slow growing infection + Sx
OSTEOMYELITIS
What causes osteomyelitis?
S. Aureus #1 or H. influenzae (directly via bone or haematogenous spreading)
OSTEOMYELITIS
What is the epidemiology?
M>F,
<10y
OSTEOMYELITIS
What are some risk factors?
- Open #,
- orthopaedic surgery,
- sickle cell anaemia (Salmonella predominates),
- immunocompromised (HIV),
OSTEOMYELITIS
What is the clinical presentation of osteomyelitis?
- Acutely unwell child
- Refusing to weight bear
- Severe pain, swelling + tenderness
- May have high fever (low grade if chronic)
OSTEOMYELITIS
What are some investigations for osteomyelitis?
- FBC (Raised WCC), raised ESR/CRP, blood cultures, bone marrow aspiration MC&S
- XR can be normal
- MRI is best imaging to establish Dx
OSTEOMYELITIS
What is the management of osteomyelitis?
- IV empirical Abx (flucloxacillin or clindamycin if allergy) until sensitivities back
- Amoxicillin, cefotaxime or ceftriaxone if <4y + suspect H. influenzae
- ?Surgical drainage or debridement of infected bone
PERTHE’S DISEASE
What is the pathophysiology of Perthe’s disease?
- Disruption of blood flow to femoral head causing avascular necrosis of the bone
- Affects the epiphysis of femur, which is bone distal to growth plate (physis)
- Over time, revascularisation or neovascularisation + healing of the femoral head with remodelling of bone
PERTHE’S DISEASE
What are some risk factors for Perthe’s disease?
- Social deprivation
- LBW
- Passive smoking
PERTHE’S DISEASE
What is the clinical presentation of Perthe’s disease?
- 4-8y, mostly male, limp (no Hx of trauma)
- Pain (often unilateral) in hip or groin (?knee referral) with restricted hip movements (internal + external rotation)
- +ve Trendelenburg test (abductor dysfunction) = ‘sound side sags’
PERTHE’S DISEASE
What are the investigations for Perthe’s disease?
- Blood tests all normal
- XR of both hips (with frog views) is initial investigation + assesses healing
– Flattening of femoral head - Technetium bone scan or MRI may be needed to confirm Dx if normal XR
PERTHE’S DISEASE
What are the complications of Perthe’s disease?
- Premature fusion of the growth plates
- Soft + deformed femoral head can lead to early hip OA
PERTHE’S DISEASE
What is the general management of Perthe’s disease?
- Keep femoral head within acetabulum (cast, braces)
- Physio to retain ROM in muscles + joints without excess stress on the bone
PERTHE’S DISEASE
What is the management of Perthe’s disease for…
i) <6y + less severe?
ii) older, severe or not healing?
i) Conservative + observe, bed rest, traction, crutches, analgesia (good prognosis)
ii) Surgery to improve alignment + function of the femoral head + hip
JIA
What is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)?
- Autoimmune inflammation in joints > joint pain, swelling + stiffness
JIA
What is the criteria for a clinical diagnosis of JIA?
- Onset before 16y with no underlying cause
- Joint swelling/stiffness
- > 6w in duration to exclude other causes (i.e. reactive)
JIA
What is the clinical presentation of JIA?
- Joint pain, swelling + stiffness (particularly morning) = hallmarks
- Limping/functional disability
- Decreased ROM
- Warmth + colour change
JIA
What are the 4 types of JIA?
- Systemic JIA (Still’s disease)
- Polyarticular JIA
- Oligoarticular JIA
- Enthesitis-related arthritis
JIA
How does systemic JIA (Still’s disease) present?
- Subtle salmon-pink rash
- High swinging fevers
- Lymphadenopathy, weight loss, muscle pain, splenomegaly
- Pleuritis, pericarditis + uveitis
JIA
What are the investigations for systemic JIA?
- Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) + rheumatoid factor = NEGATIVE
- Raised inflammatory markers = CRP/ESR, platelets + serum ferritin
JIA
What is the main complication of systemic JIA?
- Macrophage activation syndrome = severe activation of immune system with massive inflammatory response
JIA
How does macrophage activation syndrome present?
- Acutely unwell with DIC,
- febrile,
- anaemia,
- thrombocytopenia,
- bleeding,
- non-blanching rash,
- low ESR
JIA
What is the management of macrophage activation syndrome?
Life-threatening = supportive + steroids
JIA
What is polyarticular JIA?
- ≥5 joints affected, equivalent of RA in adults
JIA
What are the features of polyarticular JIA?
Symmetrical, affects small joints (of hand + feet) as well as large joints (hips + knees)
JIA
How does polyarticular JIA present?
Mild systemic Sx = mild fever, anaemia + reduced growth
JIA
What is the immunology of polyarticular JIA?
If rheumatoid factor +ve = seropositive (tend to be older children)
JIA
What is oligoarticular JIA?
≤4 joints affected, often just monoarthritis
JIA
What is oligoarticular JIA classically associated with?
Anterior uveitis = ophthalmologist referral
JIA
what is the immunology of oligoarticular JIA?
ANA +ve but RF -ve
JIA
What is enthesitis-relataed arthritis?
- Paeds version of seronegative spondyloarthropathies (ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic/reactive arthritis, IBD-related arthritis)
JIA
What is the main feature?
Enthesitis = inflammation at the point a tendon or muscle inserts to bone
JIA
How might enthesitis-related arthritis present?
- Sx of psoriasis (psoriatic plaques, nail pitting, dactylitis) or IBD
JIA
What is it associated with?
- HLA-B27 gene
- Prone to anterior uveitis = ophthalmology referral
JIA
What is reactive arthritis?
- Arthritis that develops following an infection where the organism cannot be recovered from the joint
JIA
What causes reactive arthritis?
Post STI (chlamydia) in older children or Salmonella, Campylobacter
JIA
How does reactive arthritis present?
- Reiter’s = can’t see (conjunctivitis), can’t pee (urethritis) and can’t climb a tree (arthritis)
JIA
What is the general management?
Sx (analgesia, NSAIDs, sometimes intra-articular steroids)
JIA
What are the XR features of JIA?
Same as RA (LESS) –
- Loss of joint space
- Erosions (causing joint deformity)
- Soft tissue swelling
- Soft bones (osteopenia)