Pathologies Flashcards
What are the two types of fracture
Complete - bone broken into two or more fragments
Incomplete - fractured but not in fragments
What is the differenece between a linear & transverse fracture
Linear: broken along bone length
Transverse: fracture dissects across the bone
What is an avulsion fracture
Where a tendon or ligament pulls of a piece of bone
What is a sprain
Involves a trauma that forces a joint beyond its normal range
What is subluxation
Incomplete or partial joint dislocation
What is dislocation
Complete separation of two bones at a joint
What is kyphosis
A healthy spine includes a thoracic spine kyphosis which helps distribute forces through the spine
However hyper-kyphosis is abnormal & can cause muscular fatigue & irritation
What is lordosis
Describes an increased concavity
A healthy spine will include a cervical & lumbar lordosis
However hyper-lordosis can cause pain
What is scoliosis
A lateral ‘s’ shaped curve in the spine
Generally, the more pronounced the curve, the more clinically relevant
Can often be lived with & asymptomatic but when there’s pain then a concern
What is a disc herniation
Where the nucleus pulposus of the intervetebral disc leaks out through the annulus fibrosus - most commonly lumbar spine as discs have highest fluid content
What is osteoporosis
Chronic, progressive thinning of the bone
Characterised by decreased bone mineral density (BMD) leading to bone fragility & increased risk of fractures
What is the difference between osteomalacia & rickets
Both describe inadequate mineralisation of the bone matrix in soongy & compact bone. Characterised by decalcification & hence softening of the bone - usually due to vitamin D deficiency
Osteomalacia can affect as an adolescent or adult whereas rickets is prior to the epiphyseal plate closure (<18yrs)
What is osteomyelitis
A bacterial infection of the bone marrow through the blood supply or post-fracture, resulting in necrosis & hence bone weakness
What is ankylosing spondylitis
A systemic autoimmune disease associated with chronic inflammation of the spine & sacroiliac joints, often leading to spinal fusion (ankylosis) & stiffness
What is osteoarthritis
A disease causing painful joints
Degenerative wear & tear arthritis of the articular cartilage, typically affecting weight-bearing (larger) joints in individuals typically over 50
Compensatory bone overgrowth in attempt to stabilise joint leads to bone spurs (osteophytes)
What is rheumatoid arthritis
An autoimmune inflammation of the synovium, potentially affecting ALL organs except the brain (systemic inflammation)
Most noticeable as symmetrical/bilateral arthritis of small joints that can then spread through more proximal structures
What is gout
A type of monoarthritis, characterised by uric acid crystal deposition in synovial joints. These form solid crystals (monosodium urate) on cartilage surfaces. This causes WBCs to infiltrate which activates an acute inflammatory response
What is uric acid derived from
Derived from the breakdown of purines
Can be found in foods such as red meat, organ meats, shellfish etc
Excessive alcohol consumption as competes for eliminationwithin the kidneys & accelerates purine breakdown
What is bursitis
Inflammation of a bursa
Commonly affects the shoulder (sub-acromial) & hip (trochanteric)
