Trauma & orthopaedics Flashcards
Hip anatomy
Ball + socket from acetabulum to HoF, capsule just proximal to intertrochanteric line (flat, anterior). Intertrochanteric crest is deeper + posterior
Ligaments: intracapsular (lig of HoF) and extra capsular (continuous with capsule; iliofemoral (strongest), pubofemoral and ischiofemoral
Supplied by medial circumflex femoral a and lateral circumflex (less), branches of profunda femoris
Stabilised by acetabular labrum, extra capsular ligaments, muscles
Movement: stability and weight bearing
Hip OA
Articular wear - particles swept to side - synovial irritation - loss of articular cartilage - subchondral bone exposed - grooves in joint surfaces - cysts
RF: >45, female, vit D deficiency, obesity, h/o trauma, high impact sports
CF: dull aching pain around hip/anterior thigh/groin, worse with activity, stiff after immobility, may have quad/gluteal wasting + reduced power, may have leg length discrepancy (adduction deformity) or fixed flexion deformity (corrected for by lumbar hyperextension), antalgic or Trendelenberg gait, crepitus, reduced ROM, referred pain in knee, loss of movement from osteophytes
XR: may see the LOSS signs
M: pain control WHO ladder (NSAIDs first), weight loss, physiotherapy slows progression + improves joint mechanics, hip replacement
Hip RA
FH gradually eroded/suddenly collapses - true shortening
Joint replacement only good treatment
Trochanteric bursitis
TB between greater trochanter + insertion of abductors. Causes point tenderness at GT, passive movement full but active abduction + adduction painful, pain is in lateral side, may see calcification on XR. Steroid injection
Septic arthritis of hip
Rare in adults unless debilitated/DM/steroids
Need IV AB + exploration
Gonoccal sometimes seen
Transient synovitis
Irritable hip after a viral URTI, exclude SA + Perthe’s, settles 2-3d
Snapping hip
Iliotibial tract snaps across GT when stands while flexing + extending knee
Normal
NoF classification
By fracture line IRT joint capsule (just prox to intertrochanteric line):
- Intracapsular: blood supply usually affected unless small/undisplaced. Specific types are sub capital (through junction of head + neck) and basocervical (through base of neck)
- Extracapsular: blood supply intact. Intertrochanteric/trochanteric, or subtrochanteric (<5cm distal to the LT)
Garden classification for intracapsular # (just academic really): I (incomplete) II (complete #, undisplayed) III (complete #, partial displacement) IV (complete #, fully displaced)
NoF presentation
H/o recent fall
Shortened, externally rotated (pull on short external rotators), non-weight bearing
Unable to SLR
Distal NV deficits rare but obv check
NoF XRs
usually AP + lateral hip + AP pelvis. full length of femur if suspecting pathological #
- View, body part, date/time, demographics
- IC or EC (above or below ITL). # is the dark area, if can’t see it then follow cortex until looks different to the rest
- Displaced (surfaces not in good contact) or undisplaced - STAR: Shortening (LT higher), Translation (moved side to side), Angulation (tilted, compare to other side), Rotation (in ER see more of the LT)
- Shortened? ER (see more of the LT?)
- Type of #
- Blood supply: in elderly generally treat as disrupted, but for EXAM extracapsular=intact and intracapsular=compromised
- How to fix it
- Other signs of a pathological # e.g. thinned cortex and medulla ‘moth-eaten appearance’. E.g. mets from breast/bronchus/RCC/prostate
Other investigations: routine, G&S, CK (long lie-rhabdomyolysis), INR, urine dip, CXR, ECG - often an underlying reason why elderly people fall
NoF management
Always surgical (unless literally going to die within next 24h)!
For analgesia initially iliofascial nerve block v useful
Device must go perpendicular to the # line to have a good hold in both main fragments
- Intracapsular - hemiarthroplasty, unless younger/fit THR (better ROM); but in young patients the lifespan of prosthesis means better to preserve own hip with reduction + fixation w cannulated screws for future THR (so do in intracapsular non-displaced)
- Extracapsular - for intertrochanteric (and basocervical non-displaced) dynamic hip screw (vertical # as device goes horizontally). Subtrochanteric may use intramedullary nail for a horizontal # as these go vertically
Post-op: physio (everyone should be fully weight bearing by default as helps remodelling / will fall again from being unsteady), complications of surgery manage, OT for home, medical review by geris, bone protection (bisphosphonates, Ca and vit D)
NoF complications
Bleeding, VTE, infection, risks of anaesthetic, nerve + muscle damage
Intracapsular # - AVN + non-union (reduced re-ossification) due to interrupted blood supply
Leg length discrepancy, dislocation, peri-prosthetic #, joint dislocation, aseptic loosening
Hip dislocation
Rare as hip is v stable, usually in high-energy trauma
Majority are posterior forcing hip flexed + adducted to dislocate – hip + leg in slight F, Ad and IR. Can’t weight bear, deformity.
Anterior - hip in F, Ab and ER
On XR Shenton’s line broken
M: closed reduction if no #, ORIF if have #
C: post-traumatic arthritis, FH osteonecrosis, sciatic n injury, recurrent dislocations
Perthe’s disease
Osteochondritis of upper femoral epiphysis - FH softens then reforms - due to interference with venous drainage - reformed head is flatter and bigger
M>F, seen in 5-10yos
M: contain FH within acetabulum until it reforms, usually using splints
Slipped upper femoral epiphysis
Childhood equivalent of intracapsular # femoral neck, most often in adolescent growth spurt in chubby boys
M + P displacement of epiphysis - rolls limb into ER. Due to a Salter 1 # or insidious onset - weaker epiphyseal plate + soft tissue cos of hormones of adolescence
CF: pain referred to knee, leg short + ER
Comp: AVN, early arthritis, stiff painful hip
M: fixation with pins to prevent further slip (not manipulation/traction), osteotomy
Hip replacement
Total hip replacement-replace articular surfaces of femur + acetabulum. Take out a cup of acetabulum, femoral head replaced with a metal ball attacked to a stem inserted into femoral shaft. Usually do this when there is pain + disability due to degenration/inflammation, or # proximal femur
Hemiarthroplasty - just replace femoral head not the acetabulum. More in older people with poor general health/frail when they’ve had a #NoF, as results in lower range of movement
Cemented prosthesis most common, and posterior approach most common as adductors preserved (but greatest risk of sciatic n damage).
Complications: VTE, bleeding, infection, loosening of prosthesis (it is strong in compression but weak in scar), leg length discrepancy
Results good in 98%
Knee anatomy
Hinge, F&E, tibiofemoral (M + L condyles of femur to tibial condyles - weight bearing) and patellofemoral (anterior femur-patella, for quadriceps tendon insertion)
NV: genicular anastomoses from femoral + popliteal arteries; femoral tibial + common fibular nerves
Menisci: fibrocartilage, type I cartilage, deepen articulating surface of tibia, shock absorbers, C-shaped, MM less mobile, LM smaller + more mobile
Bursae: suprapatellar, prepatellar, infrapatelar + semimembanosus
Ligaments - patellar (continuation of QF tendon distally, attaches to TT), medial and lateral collateral ligaments (prevent excessive M/L movement), cruciate ligaments (prevent anterior/posterior dislocation of tibia wrt femur resp)
M: E (QF), F (H, G, S, P), LR + MR when knee is flexed
ACL tear
ACL limits anterior movement of tibia + helps rotational stability esp IR.
In twisting injury
Rapid joint swelling + haemarthrosis, instability ‘giving way’, half also have meniscal tear (usually lateral).
Test with Lachman and anterior drawer
M: RICE, physio to strengthen quadriceps, surgical repair with tendon (need physio for months before)
C: post-traumatic OA
PCL tear
PCL prevents hyperflexion and reduces posterior tibial movement
In high-energy trauma e.g. direct blow in RTA, or low-energy trauma when knee hyper flexed + foot plantarflexed
Causes immediate posterior pain, instability, positive posterior drawer test w posterior sag
M: often conservative, if recurrent instability surgery
MCL tear
Most common ligament injury. Is values stabiliser so injured when external rotational forces applied to lateral knee e.g. a tackle
Graded 1-3
May hear a ‘pop’ with immediate pain in medical joint line, swelling after a few hours/sooner if there is haemarthrosis, increased laxity. Do valgus stress test
M: grade 1 conservative RICE NSAIDs strength training, grade 2 analgesia knee brace strength training, grade 3 conservative, crutches + surgery if distal avulsion
LCL tear
Isolated injury v rare - instability near full extension, hard to use stairs or pivot, lateral joint line pain
Meniscal tears
Usually due to trauma (twisted flexed weight bearing knee) or degenerative disease. Commonest is ‘bucket handle’ tear where central tear gets separated. MM more common than LM, except in acute ACL tear
CF: tearing sensation, intense sudden onset pain (localising to affected side), swells slowly, may be locked in flexion (if get free body within the knee), may have clicking, joint line tenderness, knee effusion. Test with Apley’s Grind and McMurray’s
M: acutely RICE + NSAIDs, if larger/symptomatic do arthroscopic surgery: outer 1/3 often can be sutured together as good blood supply, if in inner 1/3 often trim the tear
Meniscal cysts
Local collection fluid in/next to collection, ass w tears, asymptomatic or pain/locking/clicking/swelling/weakness if NV impingement, popliteal mass, crepitus. MRI. Need rest, NSAIDs, may need aspiration + steroids …
Discoid meniscus
Abnormal developed so large and discoid-shaped, usually LM, pain, clicking, locking
Unhappy triad
Lateral force to extended knee - ruptured MCL, MM (as attached to MCL) + ACL
Iliotibial band syndrome
ITB - fibres forming aponeurosis of TFL + gluteus maximus, from iliac tubercle to tibia
Inflammation - repetitive F+E - gets impinged
CF: lateral knee pain, worse with exercise
M: modify activity, analgesia in acute pain
Bursitis
Pre-patellar = housemate’s knee, anterior to patella, commonest, 20% septic, may occur with crystal arthropathies and RA
Infrapatellar bursitis = Clergyman’s knee
Semimembranous bursa inflammation = popliteal cyst (different to Baker’s cyst)
Hoffa’s fat pad syndrome
Anterior knee pain + hyper mobility due to maltracking of patella
Due to hyper-extension e.g. lifting weight with locked knees or awkward fall
Osgood-Schlatter disease
Traction apophysitis of tibial tuberosity, M>F, jumping/sprinting in teenagers
Pain on anterior knee worse kneeling, may have enlarged TT
M: RICE, NSAIDs, modify activity, strapping, when skeletally mature if not resolved may need surgery
Resolves when stop growing
Sinding-Larsen-Johannson syndrome
Overuse injury at inferior pole of patella, like OS disease but at distal attachment
More in teenagers/chronic injury
Pain anterior knee during/after activity, pain over inferior patella, swelling
Osteochondritis dissecans
Lesion of articular cartilage and subchondral bone - juvenile (common in 8-12y, M>F) + adult forms
Fragment from medial femoral condyle dissects out
Various causes, but leads to softening of articular cartilage + early cartilage separation, pain related to activity (worse on hyperextension), recurrent effusions, mechanical symptoms, locking, instability
Conservative, diagnostic arthroscopy, may need fixation by drilling holes + uniting with screws/pins
Chondromalacia patallae
Softening of articular cartilage of patella
In teenage girls is common
Anterior knee pain with stairs and rising from sitting
Physio
Bipartite patella
Congenital fragmentation of patella
Patellofemoral syndrome
Common in runners
LL malalignment, muscle imbalance, patella issues – aching after recent increase in exercise
Patella tendinopathy
Jumper’s knee
Patella tendon tears
Settles with rest + NSAIDs
Bakers cyst
Primary often asymptomatic, may be from chronic effusions of OA, posterior swelling + aching
Patellar dislocation and subluxation
Usually lateral. Reduce it with medial pressure whilst extending knee
Recurrent dislocation may be issue in adolescents due to looser ligaments + smaller bones, patient usually aware of this
Recurrent subluxation may be developmental issue
Patella #
Fall on flexed knee or dashboard injury
Non-displaced can manage conservatively
Knee OA
V common
Medical worse than lateral, get varus deformity, osteophytes, cysts, crepitus
M: conservative (NSAIDs, walking aids, physio, WL), arthroscopic debridement (diagnosis + removing debris), tibial/low femoral osteotomy (adjust line of weight bearing so healthy bit gets the weight), TKR (harder than THR, placement of prosthesis must be v accurate), revision of knee replacement, arthrodesis (lasts a lifetime, can walk comfortably but hard to sit/climb out of car etc)
Internal knee derangements
Meniscal lesions - cause locking + collapsing, different types e.g. discoid meniscus
Loose bodies - float around and obstruct movement, may become a medium for infection
Osteochondral lesions - #, chondral flaps and separations, osteochondritis dissecans
Popliteal cysts
Swelling in PF, uncomfortable, limits flexion, worse on walking
Indicate pathology in knee e.g. RA, gout
Not ‘Bakers cysts’
May disappear, rupture or become so tense that need excision
Ligament instability of knee
ACL - knee swelled then went away after twisting injury, now knee collapses when put weight on + twist, may need ACL reconstruction (patellar/hamstring graft, iliotibial tract)
Meniscal lesions: low speed movement with knee bent, lock knee + blocks extension
Chronic PCL instability: unsteady going down slopes or weight bearing on flexed knee, from blow at front of knee in flexion
Medial ligament instability
Knee haemarthrosis
Bleeding into knee
Most ligament injury (usually ACL), patella dislocation or osteochondral #
If not removed blood clots - adhesions - limits mobility + causes synovitis
Need arthroscopy + removal
Foot and ankle anatomy
Read this in notes
Ankle sprain
Partial/complete tears in ligaments from excessive inversion of PF + weight bearing foot. Lateral more likely as weaker
Ottawa ankle rules?
Indications for XR with an ankle injury:
Inability to weight bear, MM/LM point tenderness, 5 MT base tenderness, navicular tenderness
Standard XR views for ankle?
AP, lateral and mortise
Metatarsal #
Direct blow from heavy object, stress # (incomplete #), excessive inversion causing avulsion
Calcaneal #
Crush-type injury, may be comminuted, made of cancellous bone so gets crushed
Causes chronic problems like subtalar joint arthritis
Talus #
Malleoli hold fragments together so little displacement
Tibia and fibula #
Tibial shaft commonest location, superficial so prone to open #
Types: fibula alone (if undisplaced don’t need immobilisation as doesn’t weight bear, may just be tender/bruised), tibia alone or tibia + fibula (common esp in twisting + RTCs)
M: stable (cast immobilised), unstable (internal fixation), contaminated + unstable (External rotation). Spiral # always unstable. Reduction. Place in backstab. Monitor for compartment syndrome. Definitive management is for skeletal stability
Comps: compartment syndrome, NV compromise, infection as lots of open #, malunion (can lead to OA), non-union (slow healing), joint stiffness, soft tissue damage
Weber classification of ankle #
Type A - below syndesmosis, usually stable
Type B - at level of syndesmosis
Type C - above level of syndesmosis
What is a syndesmosis?
A slightly moveable fibrous joint where bones are connected by connective tissue
Ankle injury mechanisms
Abduction - tear deltoid lig or pull MM away, lots of swelling
Adduction - rare as usually also have rotation e.g. in a sprained ankle
External rotation - pushes talus against LM, may tear deltoid lig or avulse MM, v unstable
Vertical compression or hyperextension - comminuted crush fracture
Pott’s fracture-dislocaiton
Bimalleolar (MM + LM) or trimalleolar (MM, LM + distal tibia) #
Due to forced eversion - pulls on medial lies - avulses MM - talus moves laterally - breaks of LM - if tibia forced anteriorly shears off the posterior distal tibia
Hallux valgus
Deformity of 1st MTPJ - ‘bunions’ (though bunions are actually a bunion over a prominent first metatarsal head i.e. can have B w/o HV), subluxation
CF: painful medial prominence, gets worse, crepitus indicates cartilage degeneration, may see contracture of EHL tendon, abnormal weight distribution
M: conservative e.g. orthosis, surgery if QoL significantly impacted
Plantar fascitis
Inflammation of the plantar fascia (thick fibrous band of CT), v common, b/l suggests systemic cause
RF: excess pronation, per cavus, tight calf muscles, prolonged standing, excess running, leg length discrepancy, obesity, unsupportive footwear
CF: sharp pain across plantar aspect esp in heel, examine for over-pronation, high arches, leg length. Intra-calcaneal region often tender on palpation
M: activity moderation ,physio stretching, NSAIDs, adjust footwear e.g. well cushioned heel, steroid injections if not working, plantar fasciotomy …
Recovery takes up to 12m
Achilles tendon rupture
Forward lunging
Swelling, squeeze test positive as fascial sheath ruptured (Simmonds test). Operation preferred for athletes, conservative need cast immobilisation in full flexion, physio
In partial rupture squeeze test is negative
Achilles tendinitis
Irritation by repeated friction
OA of ankle
From damage to any joint e.g. #, minor trauma, infection
Dorsiflexion usually first affected by the osteophytes
Shoes, NSIADs, osteophyte excision, arthrodesis
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Like CTS but v rare
Medial plantar nerve compressed by tendon swelling/ganglia/arthritis/post-trauma
Pain + paraesthesia in distribution of medial plantar nerve
Kohler’s disease
Vascular osteochondritis causing collapse of navicular
Sever’s disease
Traction apophysitis at insertion of calcaneal tendon , Like OGS and SLJ
Ingrowing toenail
Most common medial edge of big toenail
Soft tissue damage - chronic infection w granulomatous tissue
Hallux rigidus
Stiff big toe due to OA of 1st MTPJ
Pes cavus
High arches (medial longitudinal arch abnormally high) Less ability to shock-absorb when walking so more stress on ball + heel
Pes planus
Flat footed
Common, lose longitudinal arches (they develop age 2-3 so this is normal in infants), mostly don’t get symptoms but feet may ache after prolonged activity
Arch-supporting shoe inserts
Shoulder dislocation
Commonest joint dislocation. Usually antero-lateral (described as anterior) from force on E, Ab and ER humerus; posterior more likely in seizures/electrocution
CF: pain, reduced mobility, instability, asymmetry, loss of shoulder contours, may see high anterior bulge from HoH, axillary + suprascapular n injury, bony Bankart lesions (# of glenoid), Hill-Sachs defect (impaction of chondral surface), # of GT, soft Bankart lesions (avulsion of labrum + lies), ligament avulsion, rotator cuff injuries
Anterior can usually see on AP XR, Y scapular view convirms
M: closed reduction, may need it done under GA, immobilisation, rehabilitation
Recurrence is fairly common with trivial trauma due to ligament laxity, patients can reduce their own shoulder
Adhesive capsulitis
Frozen shoulder
F>M, 40-70y commonest. GH joint capsule becomes contracted and adheres to HoH. Can be idiopathic or associated with inflammation, DM, previous surgery/trauma, subacromial impingement
Deep generalised constant pain, often disturbs sleep, stiffness, may have loss of arm swing, atrophy of deltoid, tender on palpation, limited ROM esp F and ER. XR rules out ACJ issues or #.
M: recover over months - years, keep active, physio, pain relief, GH joint injections if not improving, v bad may need surgery to remove adhesions
Subacromial impingement syndrome
Inflammation + irritation of rotator cuff tendons as they pass through the subacromial space, includes rotator cuff tendinopathy and subacromial bursitis.
Supraspinatous tendinitis - causes SAIS/painful arc, pain on active movement 60-120 deg Ab, passive movement fine as pressure relieved, leads to oedema + tear. May be calcified or rupture.
Causes: tension on RC tendons (e.g. muscle weakness, overuse), degeneration, extrinsic compression, glenohumeral instability
CF: progressive pain, worse abduction improved with rest, may have weak/stiff due to pain. Test subacromial impingement with Neers impingement and Hawkins tests
M: most conservative with NSAIDs physio and poss steroid injection, if >6m and reduced ROM potentially surgery