WEEK 12/ 13- MSK Challenges Flashcards
Osteoporosis
- Metabolic disease caused by bone demineralization = bone density = fractures
- Areas commonly affected: wrist, hip, vertebral column
Primary Osteoporosis
o Not associated with underlying disease
o Most common in women after menopause, men in later years
• Type I: postmenopausal: ages 55 to 65
• Type II: senile: over age 65
Secondary osteoporosis
Related to an associated medical condition
Treatment related to underlying cause
Risk Factors
o Age over 60 years o Family history o Caucasian or Asian race o Thin, lean body build o Low lifetime calcium intake o Estrogen deficiency o Smoking history/high alcohol intake o Lack of physical exercise/prolonged immobility o Parathyroid disorder
Parathyroid Hormone
regulates calcium in blood in part by promoting mov’t of Ca from the bone
↓ Ca in blood ► ↑ PTH prompt demineralization of the bone
Primary Manifestations
o “Dowager’s” hump= kyphosis of dorsal spine/shortened height
o Sharp, acute back pain
o Tenderness, restriction of spinal movement suggests compression vertebrae fracture/s
o Constipation/abdominal distention/reflux esophagitis
o Respirations compromised
o Fractures most common:
Between T8 and L3
Distal end of radius and hip
Diagnosis
o Bone mineral density (BMD) • values = T-scores Normal = less than -1 o Low bone mass (osteopenia) • T-score between -1 and -2.5 o Osteoporosis in postmenopausal women • T-score at or below -2.5 o BMD decreases rapidly as serum estrogen levels
Primary Osteoporosis – Interventions – Drug Therapy
Calcium -1200 mg/day from all sources (includes diet and supplementation)
Vitamin D - D-needed to promote Ca++ absorption
800-2000 IU/day
Bisphosphonates (BPs)- eg. Fosamax
• inhibit bone resorption
• Risk of esophageal ulcers if the pill is not completely swallowed-
• Caution to take with full glass of water on empty stomach
• Sit upright for 30 minutes afterwards
More Interventions
o Diet therapy o Prevention of falls o Exercise o Pain management o Orthotic devices
Weight-bearing (local stress)
Stimulate bone formation & remodelling
Avoid prolonged bed rest: bone loses calcium(resorption) & becomes osteopenic & weak
Falls
- # 1 cause of accidental death of persons >65 years
- Account for 65% of injuries to seniors each year
- 1/3 of Canadian seniors fall each year
- Account for 84% of injury admits to hospitals, 40% of nursing home admits
- High cost to person, family and HC system
- Research indicates falls are preventable with education/ awareness programs
- Major concern for health care providers as the Baby Boomers face their senior years
Risk Factors
- History of falls
- Age>80
- Multiple Illnesses
- Generalized weakness or immobility
- Confusion- or use of drugs that can cause confusion, mobility limitations or orthostatic hypotension
- Urinary incontinence
- Communication impairments
- Location of client’s room
- Major visual impairments
- Substance abuse
- Location of client’s room
Assess Risk for Fractures
Previous fracture after age 40 Parental hx of fracture High ETOH intake Use of steroids or smoker Hx of rheumatoid arthritis Falls: any in past year? >10% loss of weight since age 25 Get up and Go test
Classification of Fractures
- Complete - the break is across the entire width of the bone
- Incomplete - the break is through only part of the bone
- Compound - if the soft tissue around the fracture is open
- Pathological - occurs after minimal trauma to a bone that is weakened by disease (eg: bone cancer or infection)
Factors affecting healing times
- age
- displacement
- site of fracture
- nutritional level
- blood supply to the area of injury
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
Pain: immediate, severe
Loss of function
Deformity; abnormal positioning of extremity
Shortening of extremity
Crepitation: palpable or audible
Edema
Paresthesia- burning or tingling sensation
Numbness
Motor weakness
Pulselessness, impaired capillary refill time and cyanotic skin
Nursing Assessment
• Pain - Continuous and increases in severity
o Muscle spasm accompanying the fracture is a reaction of the body to try and immobilize the fractured bone (mostly with hip and femur #)
• Deformity - Displacement, angulations or rotation of the fragments
• Crepitus - A grating sensation produced when the bone fragments rub each other
Complications- Fat Embolism
Occurs usually in fractures of the long bones
Fat globules may move into the blood stream because the marrow pressure is greater than capillary pressure
Fat globules occlude the small blood vessels of the lungs, brain kidneys and other organs
Onset within 24-72 hours after fracture
Sudden dyspnea and respiratory distress & hypoxia
Agitation, delerium
Tachycardia
Chest pain
Crackles, wheezes and cough
May have petechial rash over the chest, axilla and hard palate
Fat Embolis Prevention
Immobilization of fracture
Minimal fracture manipulation
Adequate support for fractured bone during turning and positioning
Maintain adequate hydration and electrolyte balance
Acute Compartment Syndrome
muscles are wrapped with dense leathery tissue called fascia , a dense, inelastic cover
Severe fractures, trauma, vascular injuries and electrical injuries can all produce muscle damage
As injured muscle swells, the pressure rises within the constricting compartment
Eventually, the internal pressure rises so high that local circulation is cut off and the affected muscle dies
Can also damage associated nerves resulting in a loss of both power and sensation.
Symptoms include:
Deep throbbing pain that is not relieved by analgesics
Decrease in sensation to the area,
Pale tissue colour
Weakened pulses
PARESTHESIA- first sign
PULSELESSNESS - late sign
Pain during passive motion that is greater than pain during active motion.
Treatment of ACS
Surgical treatment- a fasciotomy An incision is made through the skin and subcutaneous tissue into the fascia of the affected compartment. Relieves the pressure Wound is left open- packed and dressed May require skin grafting.
Fractures- Interventions
Emergency care
fracture may be accompanied by multiple injuries to vital organs
assess for respiratory distress, bleeding and head injury
Reduction or realignment
Immobilization
Bandages and splints
Used for certain areas of the body- such as the scapula and clavicle
Non weight-bearing bones!