Skeletal Injuries, Bone & Joint Diseases

Question 1

Stridor & Dyspnea

Answer 1

Experiencing labored and difficult breathing

Question 2

Dislocation/Luxation & Partial Dislocation/Subluxation

Answer 2

Bone being separated from the joint

Question 3

“Nursemaid’s Elbow”

Answer 3

When children under 5 have a dislocation of the elbow joint.

Question 4

Sprain vs Strain

Answer 4

Tearing/stretching of a LIGAMENT (connects bones), usually occurs after a sharp twist VS Tearing/stretching of a TENDON (connects muscles).

Question 5

Fracture (There are different types)

Answer 5

A crack of fissure in a bone

Question 6

Closed Simple Fracture

Answer 6

Break in bone, does not go through the skin, bones still stay in place mostly

Question 7

Open/Compound Fracture

Answer 7

Bone breaks through the skin, bones go all over the place

Question 8

Comminuted Fracture

Answer 8

Bones shatters into pieces after impact

Question 9

Impacted Fracture

Answer 9

Break in bone, and then due to impact one end goes inside of the other

Question 10

“Greenstick Fracture”

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Colles Fracture

Answer 11

A wrist fracture, most commonly occurring after trying to break a fall.

Question 12

Incomplete Fracture

Answer 12

Part of the bone gets broken but not all the way, resembles a slit in the bone

Question 13

Symptoms of any kind of bone fracture

Answer 13

Acute pain, deformity, swelling, discoloration, loss of limb function, muscle spasm, and perhaps
hemorrhage and shock. Bone may protrude through the skin.

Question 14

Treatment for bone fractures

Answer 14

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).

Question 15

Treatment of pain caused by bone fractures

Answer 15

Prescription analgesics (painkillers) and muscle relaxants

Question 16

Rickets (Bone Disease)

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Gout

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Herniated (Vertebral) disk Definition

Answer 18

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).

Question 19

Herniated Disk symptoms, and treatment

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Plantar Fasciitis (Ligament issue)

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Paget Disease (bone disease)

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Spinal Abnormalities

1. Lordosis 2. Kyphosis 3. Scoliosis

Answer 22

Lower back curving inward,
Upper back curving outward (humpback),
Whole spine making an “S” side to side

Question 23

Spinal Abnormalities, Symptoms and Treatment

Answer 23

Chronic fatigue and backache, detected via xray, treated w/ physical therapy, exercises, and in extreme cases surgery.

Question 24

Osteoporosis (Porous Bone Disease)

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Fibromyalgia (Muscle, ligament, and tendon condition)

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

Myasthenia Gravis

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Answer 28

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.