The Musculoskeletal System Flashcards
What order should injuries be splinted in?
spine, pelvis, femurs, lower extremities, upper extremities
How should you treat an extremity injury/fracture?
-CSM every 10 minutes w/ splint
-splint as found unless CSM compromised
-realign to restore blood flow unless resistance is met
What are the signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome?
-Pain
-Paresis
-Paresthesia
-Pulselessness
-Positive stretch pain
-Paralysis
What is a sprain?
-stretch or tear of ligament (bone to bone) which provide joint stability.
-Usually caused by falling or twisting the joint the wrong way forcing the joint into an unnatural position
-Will present with pain, swelling, bruising and a decrease in ROM
What is a strain?
-Stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon (muscle to bone)
-Usually resulting from trauma, over exertion or repetitive stress like lifting items that are too heavy, strenuous exercise or performing repetitive movements.
-Usually it happens in the back, shoulders or hamstrings. May present with pain, sore/achey,
limited ROM, bruising, swelling, stiff/weakness
What is gout?
-Characterized by the bodies (kidneys) over production of uric acid or inability to metabolize high levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia).
-Risk factors include: male, obesity, trauma, certain drugs and diet including: steak, seafood, ETOH (beer) or sweetened drinks.
-Will typically present with pain, swelling, redness and hot at the area and generally affects the periphery especially the greater toe. Can be reoccurring
-Treatment plans will include NSAIDs, pain meds and/or corticosteroids
What is osteomyelitis?
-Local or systemic infection of the bone and/or bone marrow usually following surgery or trauma.
-Generally, it will happen as result of open wound but can also spread from systemic infection ie. pneumonia, UTI.
-Will have S&S assoc. with sepsis or infection and pain at the site
-High risk factors are: recent surgeries (ortho), IV drug users, elderly, sickle cell, hemodialysis,
immunocompromised
-Treatment will involve abx therapy and pain management and possibly surgery to clean the
wound or area
What is osteoporosis?
-Characterized by a reduction in bone
density resulting in more brittle than normal bones
-Can cause fractures from an MOI that
seems like maybe it shouldn’t cause #s.
-More common in menopausal women as estrogen aids in maintaining bone density
-Will be treated with Ca+ supplements or high calcium diet
What is arthritis?
An inflammatory condition of the joints associated with swelling and pain and decrease in ROM.
What is osteoarthritis?
-degeneration of joints from “wear and tear” causes severe pain, decrease in ROM and sensation and deformity generally in hands, knees, hips, shoulders and spine.
-Treated with pain meds (narcotics), anti-inflammatories, cortisone shots or even surgery to
replace affected joints
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
along the same lines is an inflammatory disease primarily of smaller joints (fingers, toes) causing pain and decreased ROM may cause susceptibility to # or dislocation
What is psoriatic arthritis?
-Affects those pt’s diagnosed with psoriasis (autoimmune) and predominantly with swelling of entire finger/toe (sausage like) with thick sunken nails or even detached.
-Will be treated for long term inflammation with NSAID or methotrexate to limit joint damage from chronic inflammation
According to the BLS Back Pain Standard, what are some life/limb/function treats from non-traumatic back pain?
-abdominal/thoracic aortic aneurysm
- acute spinal nerve root compression
-intra-abdominal disease
-possible occult injury (e.g. pathologic fracture)
According to the BLS Extremity Pain Standard, what are some life/limb/function threats from non traumatic extremity pain?
-acute spinal nerve root(s) compression
-possible occult fracture
-soft tissue and joint infections
-vascular occlusion (e.g. peripheral vessel, intra-abdominal vessel, intra-thoracic vessel)
