Soft Tissue Injury Flashcards
What are the soft tissue injuries that require urgent referral to A&E?
- Ligament rupture – inability to bear weight on or use the joint (though not the only possible cause)
- Infection-related causes – fever, rash associated with injury
- Malignancy/metastasis (esp for lower back pain) – chronic, no clear cause, rapid unintentional weight loss
- Relating to underlying visceral conditions (esp for lower back pain) – referred/radiating pain from elsewhere (think about what other organs are in the area, check for other associated symptoms)
What are the treatment options for acute non-lower back pain?
Base on the prognosis – how long will the patient be in pain for?
- TOP NSAIDs
- PO NSAIDs/coxib
- PO Paracetamol
How can the severity of a sprain be staged?
Grade I
- Mild swelling & tenderness
- Able to bear weight and ambulate w minimal pain
Grade II
- Moderate pain, swelling, tenderness, ecchymosis
(discoloration of skin resulting from bleeding underneath, eg bruise)
- Painful weight bearing and ambulation (mild-moderate joint instability, some restriction in range of motion & function
Grade III - A&E referral
- Severe pain, swelling, tenderness, ecchymosis
- CANNOT bear weight or ambulate
What are the clinical features of tendonitis?
→ Local pain & dysfunction on active use
→ Inflammation (but unlikely to cause visible swelling)
→ Degeneration
→ Common Sites: shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip (laterally), ankle
What are the possible causes of tendonitis?
→ Overuse – repeated mechanical loading
→ Sports injury
→ Inflammatory rheumatic disease
→ Calcium apatite deposition (from metabolic disturbances)
→ Drug-induced: fluoroquinolone antibiotics and statins
What is bursitis?
- inflammation of bursae (fluid-filled sacs around joints that cushion tendons/muscles from bones)
- pain occurs when motion compresses adjacent bursa to the point where intrabursal pressure increases
What are the possible causes of acute bursitis?
- Trauma/injury
- Crystal-induced process e.g. gouty bursitis
- Infection i.e. septic bursitis
What are the possible causes of chronic bursitis
- Overuse
- Prolonged pressure e.g. kneeling, leaning on
- Inflammatory arthritis e.g. RA, spondylarthritis
What is plantar fasciitis?
inflammation of plantar fascia (fibrous attachment connecting heel bone to base of toes)
What are the possible causes of plantar fasciitis?
→ Prolonged standing/jumping/running on hard surfaces
→ Flat/High-arched feet
→ Tight hamstring muscle – ↓knee extension ↑s the loading of forefoot, which increases stress on plantar fascia
→ Reduced ankle dorsiflexion
→ Associated with systemic rheumatic diseases
How does plantar fasciitis present?
→ Pain worse when walking/running – esp in morning or after a period of inactivity (needs “warm up”)
→ Pain lessens w increased activity but worse at the end of the day (prolonged use)
What are the red flags for referral of heel/sole pain?
- Parasthesia
- Numbness
- Nocturnal pain
- Radiating pain
- Trauma
- Fever
- Sudden onset
How does frozen shoulder present?
Unilateral – usually non-dominant side, but other side may also be affected within 5 years
Limited ability to reach overhead, side and across chest
→ Reduced function e.g. inability to scratch back, put on clothes
Self-limiting, but symptoms progress through 3 very long phases
→ Initial (lasts 2-9/12): diffuse, severe disabling shoulder pain, worse at night, increasing stiffness
→ Intermediate (4-12/12): stiffness & severe loss of shoulder motion, pain gradually lessens
→ Recovery phase (5-24/12): gradual return of range of motion
How can frozen shoulder be managed?
- Analgesics for pain – paracetamol, NSAIDs, weak opioids
- Range of motion exercises
- Intraarticular glucocorticoid injections
- Physiotherapy
What are the red flags for back pain?
- unexplained weight loss
- neurologic Sx: – sensory loss, motor weakness, fall, gait instability, numbness, loss of bowel/bladder function etc
- signs of infection: fever, malaise, neck pain (meningitis)
How should acute lower back pain be managed?
non-pharm therapy e.g. heat + NSAID
How should chronic lower back pain be managed?
non-pharm incl exercise, then NSAIDs as 1st line (possibly tramadol, anarex)
What are the counselling points for back pain management
Improvement in pain and function from Tx may be small
Reassure that acute/subacute pain is usually self-limiting
Remain active as tolerated – low-impact core strengthening exercises to improve spine stability
Avoid potentially harmful and costly tests and treatment
Prevention
→ Use correct lifting and moving techniques (e.g. squat to lift heavy objects)
→ Maintain correct posture when sitting or standing
→ Avoid stressful situations – muscle tension
→ Maintain a healthy weight
→ Quit smoking – theoretically atherosclerosis affects lower back pain and degenerative disc disorders (a bit farfetched, but no harm in attempting smoking cessation)
When should myalgia be referred to A&E?
Infection-related, or medication toxicity related (e.g. rhabdomyolysis)
What are the treatment options for myalgia?
RICE, topical NSAID, prevention (e.g. proper warm up before exercise
