w11 fractures Flashcards
what is a fracture
a disruption or break in the continuity of the structure of bone
what is an open fracture
skin is broken, exposing the bone and causing soft tissue injury
what is a closed fracture
the skin has not been ruptured and remains intact
complete fracture
if the break is completely through the bone
incomplete fracture
fracture occurs partly across a bone shaft but the bone is still in one piece (non-displaced)
-incomplete fracture is often the result of bending or crushing forces applied to a bone
displaced fracture
two ends of the broken bone are separated from one another and out of their normal position
-displaced fractures are usually comminuted (more than two fragments) or oblique
nondisplaced fracture
the periosteum is intact across the fracture and the bone is still in alignment
-usually are transverse, spiral, or greenstick
what are the clinical manifestations of a fracture?
immediate localized pain, decreased function, and inability to bear weight on or use the affected part
- pt guards and protects the extremity against movement
- moving may damage the soft tissue and convert a closed fracture to an open fracture or create further injury to adjacent neuro-vascular structures
- fracture hematoma
when a fracture occurs bleeding creates a hematoma which surrounds the ends of the fragments
- the hematoma is extravasated blood that changes from a liquid to a semisold clot
- this hematoma occurs in the initial 72 hours after injury
- granulation tissue
- active phagocytosis absorb the products of local necrosis
- the hematoma converts to granulation tissues
- granulation tissue consists of new blood vessels, fibroblasts, and osteoblasts and produces the basis for new bone structure called osteoid during 3-14 days after injury
- callus formation
- as minerals (calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium) and new bone matrix are deposited in the osteoid, an unorganized network of bone is formed that is woven about the fracture parts
- callus is composed primarily of cartilage, osteoblasts, calcium, and phosphorus
- appears by the end of the second week after injury
- evidence of callus formation can be verified by radiography.
- ossification
Ossification of the callus occurs from 3 weeks to 6 months after the fracture and continues until the fracture has healed
- callus ossification is sufficient to prevent movement at the fracture site when the bones are gently stressed
- fracture is still evident on a radiograph
- during this stage of clinical union, the patient may be allowed limited mobility or the cast may be removed
- consolidation
as callus continues to develop distance between bone fragments diminishes and eventually closes
- ossification continues during this stage
- can occur up to one year following injury
- remodelling
- excess bone tissue is reabsorbed in the final stage of bone healing and union is completed
- gradual return of the injured bone to its pre injury structural strength and shape occurs
- bone remodels in response to physical landings stress of Wolff’s law
- weight bearing is gradually introduced
- new bone is deposited in Estes subjected to stress and resorbed at areas where there is little stress
problems w/ fracture healing- delayed union
Fracture healing progresses more slowly than expected; healing eventually occurs
problems w/ fracture healing-nonunion
Fracture fails to heal properly despite treatment; no radiographic evidence of callus formation
problems w/ fracture healing- malunion
Fracture heals in expected time but in unsatisfactory position, possibly resulting in deformity or dysfunction
problems w/ fracture healing- angulation
Fracture heals in abnormal position in relation to midline of structure (type of malunion)
problems w/ fracture healing- pseudoarthrosis
Type of nonunion occurring at fracture site in which a false joint is formed with abnormal movement at site
problems w/ fracture healing- refracture
New fracture occurs at original fracture site
problems w/ fracture healing-myositis ossificans
-Deposition of calcium in muscle tissue at the site of significant blunt muscle trauma or repeated muscle injury
what are the goals of fracture treatment
1) anatomical realignment of bone fragments (reduction)
2) immobilization to maintain realignment
3) restoration of normal or near-normal function of the injured part
what is closed reduction
- non surgical manual realignment of bone fragments to their previous anatomical position
- traction and counetrtraction are manually applied to the bone to restore position, length and alignment
- perform under local or general anaesthesia
what is open reduction
- correction of bone alignment through a surgical incision
- often includes internal fixation of the fracture with the use of wires, screws, pins, plates, intramedullary rods, or nails
what is open reduction
- correction of bone alignment through a surgical incision
- often includes internal fixation of the fracture with the use of wires, screws, pins, plates, intramedullary rods, or nails
disadvantage of open reduction
-infection, complications associated w/ anaesthesia, and the effect of pre-existing medical conditions (e.g., diabetes)
what is traction
the application of a pulling force to an injured or disease part of the body/extremity
what is counetrtraction?
pulls in the opposite direction
why is traction used
- prevent/reduce pain and muscle spasms associated w/ low back pain or coeval sprain (whiplash)
- immobilize a joint or part of the body
- reduce a fracture or dislocation
- treat a pathological joint condition (e.g., tumour infection)
- provides immobilization to prevent soft tissue damage
- promote active/passive exercise
- expands a joint space during arthroscopic procedures
- expand a joint space before major joint reconstruction
skin traction
used for short term treatments (48-72r hrs) until skeletal traction or surgery is possible
Tape, boots, or splints are applied directly to the skin to maintain alignment, assist in reduction, and help diminish muscle spasms in the injured extremity