Week 5 Flashcards
How many views do we need for a cervical spine and a scaphoid x ray
3
What are the views we need for a cervical spine xray
lateral
antero posterior
odontoid/open mouth view
What are the views we need for a scaphoid xray
lateral
anteroposterior
two obliques
Symptoms of scaphoid fracture
Tenderness at anatomic snuff box
Pain on compressing the thumb metatarsal
Where is the anatomic snuff box
Between the Abductor pollicis brevis + extensor pollicis brevis and extensor pollicis longus tendons
(when fingers abducted, it is below the thumb)
What is the cortical layer of the bone
dense outer surface of bone
What fracture appearances are there
Cortical extension (extends to the cortical layer of bone)
Spiral
Transverse
Comminuted
Angulation
Displacement
Impaction
Avulsion
What is an angulation fracture
The fracture displaces the bone; the normal axis of the bone is altered so that the distal portion of the bone is pointed into another direction
What is an impaction fraction
when two pieces of a fractured bone are driven into each other
What is an avulsion fracture
When a small piece of bone attached to a ligament or tendon gets pulled away from the main part
What causes avulsion fracture
due to bone is moving one way, and a tendon or ligament is suddenly pulled the opposite way
What can mimic avulsion fractures
Old injuries and normal anatomy
What is the difference between an actual avulsion fracture and an avulsion fracture mimic
An avulsion fracture mimic will be completely corticated whereas an avulsion fracture is not
How to tell if a bone fragment is corticated
Dense outer layer - grey colour on all sides
What bones can mimic avulsion fractures
sesamoid bones
accessory ossification centers
What is the posterior fat pad sign
When an elbow effusion is present, the posterior fat pad at distal humerus will be displaced and become visible (posterior fat pads should not be visible)
What does the fat pad at the elbow look like on xray
Black-ish appearance, black appearance will be next to distal humerus
What do children’s bones do instead of snap and splinter like adult ones when they sustain an injury
Bend or bow
Why don’t children’s bones snap when they sustain an injury
Because their bones are soft
What fractures do children usually get
Buckle fracture
Plastic bowing
Greenstick fracture
What is a buckle fracture and what does it look like
Incomplete fracture that happens when the bone is pressed to the point it bulges out
looks like a bump on the bone
What is a greenstick fracture
Incomplete fracture that happens when the bone is bent to the point it breaks but it doesn’t break all the way through (cracks without breaking completely)
Is avulsion fracture more common in adults or children
Children
Which part of the developing bone is the weakest
growth plate