quick orthopaedics from ZTF Flashcards
four key x ray changes in osteoarthritis
- LOSS
- Loss of joint space
- Osteophytes (bone spurs)
- Subchondral cysts (fluid filled holes in the bone)
- Subarticular sclerosis (increased density of bone along the joint line)
osteoarthritis signs in hands
- Heberden’s nodes (in the DIP joints)
- Bouchard’s nodes (in the PIP joints)
- Squaring at the base of the thumb at the carpometacarpal joint
- Weak grip
- Reduced range of motion
diagnosis of osteoarthritis
- diagnosis can be made without any investigations if the patient is:
- over 45
- has typical pain associated with activity and
- no morning stiffness (or stiffness lasting under 30 minutes).
management of osteoarthritis
- lifestyle like lose weight
- paracetamol and topical NSAID
- NSAID and PPI
- opiate
- intra-articular steroid injection
- surgery
NSAID side effects
- Gastrointestinal side-effects, such as gastritis and peptic ulcers (leading to upper GI bleeding)
- Renal side-effects, such as acute kidney injury (e.g., acute tubular necrosis) or progressive kidney disease
- Cardiovascular side-effects, such as hypertension, heart failure, myocardial infarction and stroke
- Exacerbating asthma
what is a compound fracture
where the bone is exposed through the skin
what is a stable fracture
where the sections of bone remain in alignment at the site of the fracture
what is a transverse fracture
Transverse fractures are breaks that are in a straight line across the bone.
what are spiral fractures
As the name suggests, this is a kind of fracture that spirals around the bone. Spiral fractures occur in long bones in the body, usually in the femur, tibia, or fibula in the legs. However, they can occur in the long bones of the arms. Spiral fractures are caused by twisting injuries sustained during sports, during a physical attack, or in an accident.
what is a greenstick fracture
This is a partial fracture that occurs mostly in children. The bone bends and breaks but does not separate into two separate pieces. Children are most likely to experience this type of fracture because their bones are softer and more flexible.
what is a stress fracture
Stress fractures are also called hairline fractures. This type of fracture looks like a crack and can be difficult to diagnose with a regular X-rays. Stress fractures are often caused by repetitive motions such as running.
what are compression fractures
When bones are crushed it is called a compression fracture. The broken bone will be wider and flatter in appearance than it was before the injury. Compression fractures occur most often in the spine and can cause your vertebrae to collapse
what is an oblique fracture
An oblique fracture is when the break is diagonal across the bone. This kind of fracture occurs most often in long bones. Oblique fractures may be the result of a sharp blow that comes from an angle due to a fall or other trauma.
What is an impacted fracture?
An impacted fracture occurs when the broken ends of the bone are driven together. The pieces are jammed together by the force of the injury that caused the fracture.
what is a comminuted fracture
A comminuted fracture is one in which the bone is broken into 3 or more pieces. There are also bone fragments present at the fracture site. These types of bone fractures occur when there is a high-impact trauma, such as an automobile accident.
what is a colles fracture
A Colle’s fracture refers to a transverse fracture of the distal radius near the wrist, causing the distal portion to displace posteriorly (upwards), causing a “dinner fork deformity”. This is usually the result of a fall onto an outstretched hand (FOOSH).
which in the body have vulnerable blood supplies where fracture can commonly lead to avascular necrosis?
- scaphoid
- femoral head
- humeral head
- talus
- navicular
- 5th metatarsal
ankle fractures involve which bones
- lateral malleolus (distal fibula) or the
- medial malleolus (distal tibia).
what is the rationale of the weber classification of ankle fractures
- it classifies fractures of the distal fibula (lateral malleolus) in relation to the distal syndesmosis
- the syndesmosis is the join between the tibia and fibula
- the tibiofibula syndesmosis is v important for ankle function
- therefore if the syndesmosis is disrupted by the fracture then surgery is more likely to be required
describe the weber classificaton
The Weber classification defines fractures of the lateral malleolus as:
- Type A – below the ankle joint – will leave the syndesmosis intact
- Type B – at the level of the ankle joint – the syndesmosis will be intact or partially torn
- Type C – above the ankle joint – the syndesmosis will be disrupted
what are the main cancers that metastasize to bone
(mnemonic: PoRTaBLe):
- Po – Prostate
- R – Renal
- Ta – Thyroid
- B – Breast
- Le – Lung
difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis on dexa
side effects of bisphosphinates
- Reflux and oesophageal erosions
- Atypical fractures (e.g. atypical femoral fractures)
- Osteonecrosis of the jaw
- Osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal
instructions for taking bisphosphinates
take on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. Stand or sit upright for 30 minutes after taking them. You’ll also need to wait 30 minutes before eating food or drinking any other fluids.
alternative to bisphosphinates where they are not tolerated or contraindicated
Denosumab
how long after fracture does fat embolus typically present
24-72hrs later
causes of fat embolism syndrome
- fracture (typically long bones)
- orthopaedic procedures
- severe burns
- massive soft tissue injury
what happens in fat embolism
fat macroglobules pass into the small vessels of the lung and other sites, producing endothelial damage and resulting respiratory failure (acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS-like) picture), cerebral dysfunction and a petechial rash
presentation of fat embolism syndrome
- presents suddenly after 24-72hr latent period
- breathlessness ± vague pains in the chest.
- fever
- petechial rash
- CNS symptoms such as agitation, confusion, coma, seizures, drowsiness
- oliguria
presentation of acute compartment syndrome
- usually after injury such as bone fractures or crush injuries
- presents with the 5 Ps
- pain (disproportionate and not affected by analgesia)
- pressure (high)
- paraesthesia
- paralysis (a late and worrying sign)
- pallour
- importantly pulselessness is not a feature and this differentiates it from limb ischaemia
management of acute compartment syndrome
- Initial management involves:
- Escalating to the orthopaedic registrar or consultant
- Removing any external dressings or bandages
- Elevating the leg to heart level
- Maintaining good blood pressure (avoiding hypotension)
- Then emergency fasciotomy within 6 hours
- Wound left open and covered with a dressing
describe chronic compartment syndrome
- it’s also known as chronic exertional compartment syndrome
- presents with pain, paraesthesia and numbness made worse by exertion but which goes away with rest
diagnosis of chronic compartment syndrome
needle manometry is used to measure pressure in the compartment before during and after exertion
treatment for chronic compartment syndrome
fasciotomy
which bacteria causes most cases of osteomyelitis
staphylococcus aureus
risk factors for osteomyelitis
- Open fractures
- Orthopaedic operations, particularly with prosthetic joints
- Diabetes, particularly with diabetic foot ulcers
- Peripheral arterial disease
- IV drug use
- Immunosuppression
what signs of osteomyelitis might you see on x ray?
- Maybe no signs - you can’t exclude by X ray and need MRI
- Periosteal reaction (changes to the surface of the bone)
- Localised osteopenia (thinning of the bone)
- Destruction of areas of the bone
management of osteomyelitis
- surgical debridement
- antibiotic therapy
- flucloxacillin for 6 weeks with rifampicin and fusidic acid for the first 2 weeks
- clindamycin instead of fluclox in pen allegy
- vancomycin and teicoplanin in treating MRSA
what is osteosarcoma
cancer originating from the bone
what is chondrosarcoma
cancer originating from the cartilage
what is ewing sarcoma
- a form of bone and soft tissue cancer most often affecting children and young adults
what is rhabdomyosarcoma
originating from the skeletal muscle
what is leiomyosarcoma
smooth muscle sarcoma
where does leiosarcoma originate from
adipose tissue
where does synovial sarcoma originate from
from soft tissue around joints
where does angiosarcoma originate from
from the blood and lymph vessels
what is kaposi’s sarcoma
cancer caused by human herpesvirus 8, most often seen in patients with end-stage HIV, causing typical red/purple raised skin lesions but also affecting other parts of the body
where is the most common location for sarcoma to met to
lungs
red flag causes of back pain and the associated symptoms
- Spinal fracture (e.g., major trauma)
- Cauda equina (e.g., saddle anaesthesia, urinary retention, incontinence or bilateral neurological signs)
- Spinal stenosis (e.g., intermittent neurogenic claudication)
- Ankylosing spondylitis (e.g., age under 40, gradual onset, morning stiffness or night-time pain)
- Spinal infection (e.g., fever or a history of IV drug use)
non msk causes for back pain
- Pneumonia
- Ruptured aortic aneurysms
- Kidney stones
- Pyelonephritis
- Pancreatitis
- Prostatitis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Endometriosis
the sciatic nerve is formed from which nerve roots?
L4-S3
describe the route of the sciatic nerve
- exits the posterior part of the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen
- It travels down the back of the leg.
- At the knee, it divides into the:
- tibial nerve and the
- common peroneal nerve.
what does the sciatic nerve innervate
sensation to the lateral lower leg and the foot.
It supplies motor function to the posterior thigh, lower leg and foot.
what are the causes of sciatica
lumbosacral nerve root compression by:
- Herniated disc
- Spondylolisthesis (anterior displacement of a vertebra out of line with the one below)
- Spinal stenosis
bilateral sciatica should make you think____
it’s a RED FLAG for cauda equina
back stiffness in the morning or with rest should make you think:
ankylosing spondylitis
back pain red flags
- ankylosing spondylitis
- stiffness and pain in morning/with rest
- age <40
- gradual onset
- night pain
- spinal infection
- IV drug use
- fever
- cancer
- weightloss
- gradual onset
- night pain
- age over 50
- history of cancer (think mets)
- cauda equina
- urinary retention or incontinence
- faecal incontinence
- saddle anaesthesia
- bilateral neurological symptoms
what investigation for suspected cauda equina
MRI
investigations and findings in ank spon
- Inflammatory markers (CRP and ESR)
- X-ray of the spinal and sacrum (may show a fused “bamboo spine” in later-stage disease)
- MRI of the spine (may show bone marrow oedema early in the disease)
treatment of back pain
- NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen or naproxen) first-line
- Codeine as an alternative
- Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam) for muscle spasm (short-term only – up to 5 days)
management of sciatica
- NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen or naproxen) first-line
- Codeine as an alternative
- Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam) for muscle spasm (short-term only – up to 5 days)
- if symptoms persist or worsen at follow up
- neuropathic medication (NOT gabapentin or pregabalin
- so amitriptyline or duloxetine
- neuropathic medication (NOT gabapentin or pregabalin
red flags for cauda equina
- Saddle anaesthesia (loss of sensation in the perineum – around the genitals and anus)
- Loss of sensation in the bladder and rectum (not knowing when they are full)
- Urinary retention or incontinence
- Faecal incontinence
- Bilateral sciatica
- Bilateral or severe motor weakness in the legs
- Reduced anal tone on PR examination
where does spinal cord terminate
L2/L3
what do the nerves of the cauda equina supply
- Sensation to the perineum, bladder and rectum
- Motor innervation to the lower limbs and the anal and urethral sphincters
- Parasympathetic innervation of the bladder and rectum
causes of cauda equina
- Herniated disc (the most common cause)
- Tumours, particularly metastasis
- Spondylolisthesis (anterior displacement of a vertebra out of line with the one below)
- Abscess (infection)
- Trauma
management of suspected cauda equina
- Immediate hospital admission
- Emergency MRI scan to confirm or exclude cauda equina syndrome
- Neurosurgical input to consider lumbar decompression surgery
complications of cauda equina
Surgery should be performed as soon as possible to increase the chances of regaining function.
Even with early surgery, patients can be left with bladder, bowel or sexual dysfunction.
Leg weakness and sensory impairment can also persist.