Skeletal Injuries, Bone & Joint Diseases Flashcards
Stridor & Dyspnea
Experiencing labored and difficult breathing
Dislocation/Luxation & Partial Dislocation/Subluxation
Bone being separated from the joint
“Nursemaid’s Elbow”
When children under 5 have a dislocation of the elbow joint.
Sprain vs Strain
Tearing/stretching of a LIGAMENT (connects bones), usually occurs after a sharp twist VS Tearing/stretching of a TENDON (connects muscles).
Fracture (There are different types)
A crack of fissure in a bone
Closed Simple Fracture
Break in bone, does not go through the skin, bones still stay in place mostly
Open/Compound Fracture
Bone breaks through the skin, bones go all over the place
Comminuted Fracture
Bones shatters into pieces after impact
Impacted Fracture
Break in bone, and then due to impact one end goes inside of the other
“Greenstick Fracture”
Bone breaks somewhat, and then bends over like a stick, most commonly seen in children due to their softer bones, especially kids that have rickets
Colles Fracture
A wrist fracture, most commonly occurring after trying to break a fall.
Incomplete Fracture
Part of the bone gets broken but not all the way, resembles a slit in the bone
Symptoms of any kind of bone fracture
Acute pain, deformity, swelling, discoloration, loss of limb function, muscle spasm, and perhaps
hemorrhage and shock. Bone may protrude through the skin.
Treatment for bone fractures
First immobilize the injury, then depending on severity, will require possible surgery (for realignment and reconnection using screws), and then a cast which is know as Open Reduction. If not as severe may be able to use just a cast known as closed reduction (didn’t need to open the body).
Treatment of pain caused by bone fractures
Prescription analgesics (painkillers) and muscle relaxants
Rickets (Bone Disease)
Bone disease caused by Vit D deficiency, leads to osteomalacia, most common symptom is bow legs, detected via Xray, and treated w/ mild to major doses of Vit D.
Gout
Severe joint pain in all extremities caused by too much uric acid production. May also have mild fever and chills. Detected via urinalysis and xray, and treated w/ change in diet to reduce uric acid, hot/cold compress and analgesics for joint pain.
Herniated (Vertebral) disk Definition
When a fall, straining, or heavy lifting causes the nucleus area of an vertebral disk, to protrude through the wall of the disk and into the spinal canal, where it presses on spinal nerves (sciatic nerves).
Herniated Disk symptoms, and treatment
Presents as severe back pain that gets worse with movement. May also feel numbness, prickling, and tingling due to nerve damage Detected via all the “imaging” methods, treated with bed rest, hot/cold compress, analgesics/muscle relaxants for pain.
Plantar Fasciitis (Ligament issue)
Straining the ‘plantar fascia’ ligament that connects the heel to the toes. Causes inflammation, swelling, and pain/stiffness when standing. Mild cases treated w/ NSAIDS and ortho shoe inserts, extreme cases treated w/ steroids and surgery.
Paget Disease (bone disease)
Bone disease that causes bones to get thicker and thicker over time. Xray shows thick bones, blood tests show alkaline phosphatase, urine shows hydroxyproline. Treated w/ therapies, pain mgmt, and surgery.
Spinal Abnormalities
1. Lordosis 2. Kyphosis 3. Scoliosis
Lower back curving inward,
Upper back curving outward (humpback),
Whole spine making an “S” side to side
Spinal Abnormalities, Symptoms and Treatment
Chronic fatigue and backache, detected via xray, treated w/ physical therapy, exercises, and in extreme cases surgery.
Osteoporosis (Porous Bone Disease)
Caused by mineral deficiency, bones become painful, and are more vulnerable to fractures. Xray/CT scans show bone deformities. Blood/Urine tests detect phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin, calcium, creatinine, and hydroxyproline. Treated w/ exercise and change in diet to reduce any mineral deficiencies.
Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)
Chronic inflammation of bones and joints, presents as severe joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and bone enlargement. Treated w/ NSAIDS, physical therapy, joint fluid injections, and in severe cases surgery.
Fibromyalgia (Muscle, ligament, and tendon condition)
CONSTANT and Chronic pain and dull aches in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Difficult to detect, usually requires blood and thyroid tests. Treated w/ analgesics, physical therapy & alternative medicine.
Myasthenia Gravis
Neuromuscular disease caused by disappearing acetylcholine receptors resulting from thymus tumor. Causes weak skeletal muscles, presents as facial drooping, dysphagia & dysphasia (difficult swallowing/speaking). Thymus tumors detected w/ imaging. Treated w/ corticosteriods & thymectomy.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Autoimmune disease where bones, cartilage, & joints erode over time. Presents as malaise, with all the flu symptoms in addition to joint pain. Detected by blood tests and imaging. Treated w/ NSAIDS, Plaquenil, Humira, and joint injections.
