Nursing Orthopedics and Musculoskeletal System Review

Flashcards covering musculoskeletal anatomy, bone healing, orthopedic diagnostic tests, casting, traction, and common bone/metabolic bone disorders based on the lecture notes.

Long bones

Bones designed for weight bearing and movement.

Short bones

Bones consisting of cancellous bone covered by a layer of compact bone.

Flat bones

Important sites of hematopoiesis that frequently protect vital organs.

Irregular bones

Bones with unique shapes related to their functions.

Osteoblasts

Cells that function in bone formation by secreting bone matrix.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells involved in bone maintenance, located in lacunae.

Osteoclasts

Multi-nuclear cells involved in dissolving and resorbing bone.

Osteon

Microscopic functioning unit of mature cortical bone.

Periosteum

Dense, fibrous membrane covering the bone.

Endosteum

A thin, vascular membrane that covers the marrow cavity of long bones and the spaces in cancellous bone.

Bone Marrow

Vascular tissue located in the medullary cavity of long bones and in flat bones.

Epiphyses

The ends of the long bones.

Cartilage

Tough, elastic, avascular tissue that covers the ends of long bones.

Diaphysis

The shaft of the long bone.

Osteogenesis

The process of bone formation which begins long before birth.

Ossification

The process by which the bone matrix is formed, and mineral crystals of calcium and phosphorus bind to collagen fibers.

Remodeling

Primary process occurring by early adulthood that maintains bone structure through simultaneous resorption and osteogenesis; complete skeletal turnover occurs every $10$ years.

Resorption

The removal or destruction of tissue, such as bone tissue.

Union

The process by which broken bones heal through a series of steps.

Osteoid

New bony substance formed by osteoblasts during callus formation.

Synarthrosis

Immovable joints, such as skull sutures.

Amphiarthrosis

Joints that allow limited motion, such as vertebral joints and the symphysis pubis.

Diarthrosis

Freely movable joints.

Ball-and-socket joints

Joints that permit full freedom of movement, such as the hip and shoulder.

Hinge joints

Joints that permit bending in one direction only, such as the elbow and knee.

Saddle joints

Biaxial joints that allow movement in two planes at right angles, such as the base of the thumb.

Pivot joints

Joints characterized by articulation between the radius and ulna, permitting rotation.

Gliding joints

Joints allowing limited movement in all directions, represented by the carpal bones in the wrist.

Synovium

Membrane lining the capsule which secretes lubricating and shock-absorbing synovial fluid.

Ligaments

Fibrous connective tissue bands that bind the articulating bones together.

Bursa

Sac filled with synovial fluid that cushions the movement of tendons, ligaments, and bones at a point of friction.

Sarcomeres

The actual contractile units of skeletal muscle found within myofibrils.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

The primary source of energy for muscle cells, generated through cellular oxidative metabolism.

Isometric contraction

Muscle contraction where the length of the muscle remains constant but the force generated is increased.

Isotonic contraction

Muscle contraction characterized by shortening of the muscle with no increase in tension, such as flexing the forearm.

Flaccid

A muscle that is limp and without tone.

Spastic

A muscle with greater-than-normal tone.

Hypertrophy

An increase in the size of individual muscle fibers without an increase in their number.

Atrophy

A decrease in the size of a muscle.

Arthrography

A diagnostic test where a radiopaque contrast agent or air is injected into the joint cavity to visualize irregular surfaces.

Bone scan

A test used to detect metastatic tumors or osteomyelitis where a radioisotope is injected and scanned $2$ to $3$ hours later.

Electromyography (EMG)

A test providing information about the electrical potential of muscles and nerves using needle electrodes.

Arthroscopy

A procedure allowing direct visualization of a joint to diagnose and treat disorders, performed under sterile conditions.

Arthrocentesis

Joint aspiration carried out to obtain synovial fluid for examination or to relieve pain from effusion.

Cast

A rigid external immobilizing device molded to the contours of the body.

Rizzer's Jacket

A cast used for affectation of the thoraco-lumbar spine or scoliosis.

Sugar Tong

A cast used for compound affectation of the humerus with open wound, inflammation, and swelling.

Munster/ Fuenster Cast

A cast used for affectation of the radius-ulna with callus formation.

Fiberglass

A water-activated polyurethane resin casting material that is light, water-resistant, and dries within $10$ to $15$ minutes.

Plaster of Paris

Traditional casting material made of crinoline and gypsum crystals that requires $24$ to $72$ hours to dry completely.

Windowing

Creating a hole in a cast to allow for visualization, inspection, or dressing of an open wound.

Bivalving

Cutting a cast into two halves to relieve tightness or for X-ray inspection.

8 P's of Neurovascular Status

Pain, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paresthesia, Paralysis, Poikilothermia, Poor capillary refill, and Poor hair growth.

Compartment Syndrome

A complication occurring when increased tissue pressure within a limited space compromises circulation.

Fasciotomy

A surgical procedure that may be necessary to relieve pressure within a muscle compartment.

Volkmann's contracture

A specific type of compartment syndrome resulting in contracture of the fingers and wrist due to obstructed arterial blood flow.

Footdrop

The inability to maintain the foot in a normally flexed position, often caused by injury to the peroneal nerve.

Cast syndrome

A psychological and physiological response (such as superior mesenteric artery syndrome) associated with immobility in a body cast.

External fixators

Devices used to manage open fractures with soft tissue damage by using pins inserted into bone attached to a portable frame.

Traction

The application of a pulling force to a part of the body to reduce, align, and immobilize fractures.

Buck's Extension Traction

Skin traction to the lower leg used for affectation of the hip and the femur.

Total Hip Replacement

The replacement of a severely damaged hip joint with an artificial joint, requiring the leg to be positioned in abduction.

Phantom Limb Pain

Pain or unusual sensations, such as cramping or twisting, felt in an extremity that has been amputated.

Active Range of Motion (ROM)

Isotonic exercises where the client moves each joint through its complete range of movement.

Standard cane

A straight-legged cane held on the stronger side of the body for support.

Crutch palsy

Weakness of the forearm, wrist, and hand muscles caused by continual pressure on the axillae from crutches.

Radiculopathy

Pain radiating to the legs, also known as sciatica, signifying nerve involvement in low back pain.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Entrapment neuropathy occurring when the median nerve at the wrist is compressed by a thickened flexor tendon sheath.

Phalen's Test

A test for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome involving forced flexion of the wrists for a full minute to check for numbness.

Osteoporosis

A disease characterized by reduced bone mineral density and deteriorated micro-architecture, leading to porous bones.

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

The primary diagnostic tool used to diagnose osteoporosis.

Osteomalacia

A metabolic bone disease characterized by inadequate mineralization and softening of the skeleton, often due to Vitamin D deficiency.

Paget's Disease

Also known as osteitis deformans, a disorder of localized rapid bone turnover resulting in disorganized mosaic bone patterns.

Osteomyelitis

Infection of the bone resulting in inflammation, necrosis, and formation of new bone, most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

A systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease primarily affecting the synovial membrane of multiple joints.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

A degenerative joint disease involving the breakdown of cartilage and bone, often called "wear and tear" arthritis.

Gout

A genetic defect of purine metabolism resulting in hyperuricemia and the deposition of uric acid crystals in joints.

Scoliosis

A progressive condition causing the spine to curve or twist into a "C" or "S" shape.

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

A self-limiting disease in children characterized by necrosis of the femoral head due to decreased blood supply.

Greenstick fracture

An incomplete fracture involving a break through only part of the cross-section of the bone.

Osteosarcoma

The most common and most often fatal primary malignant bone tumor.