Fracture and Dislocation Management

Flashcards covering various aspects of fractures, dislocations, and relevant complications.

Fracture Diagnosis

Which imaging views are routinely recommended to evaluate a suspected long-bone fracture? AP view with lateral views.

Closed Fracture

A fracture with intact skin, as in the case where a tibia is broken but the skin is intact.

Spiral Fracture

A fracture line that curves around the shaft of a bone, commonly produced by torsional forces.

Hard Callus Formation

This phase of fracture healing typically appears between 4 weeks and 3 months after injury.

Gustilo–Anderson Classification

A classification system for open fractures that includes Types I, II, IIIA, and IIIC, each indicating varying levels of tissue damage.

Traumatic Dislocation

Injuries that commonly occur due to a direct blow to the joint, sudden muscle contraction, or capsular thickening.

MRI in Dislocation

A diagnostic tool used to show disruption of soft tissue stabilizers around a joint, often torn in traumatic dislocation.

Signs of Elbow Dislocation

Deformity of the joint and a displacement of the elbow crease often indicate an elbow dislocation.

Complications of Dislocation

Visible wounds over a joint, such as an open ankle dislocation, may lead to complications like skin rash or infection.

Acute Osteomyelitis Causes

Most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus in adolescents, especially those showing localized pain and fever.

Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis

Infection in children typically localized near the metaphyseal region of a long bone.

Acute Osteomyelitis Signs

Intense bone pain and fever in the absence of trauma or a visible fracture on X-ray.

Radiographic Change in Osteomyelitis

Early radiographic changes in osteomyelitis may show cortical thickening or a subtle periosteal reaction.

Complications of Untreated Osteomyelitis

Local complications may include joint infections and systemic issues like septicemia.

Fat Embolism Syndrome

A serious complication arising post-fracture characterized by respiratory distress and neurologic changes.

Radial Nerve Injury

Often occurs in humeral diaphyseal fractures, potentially leading to wrist drop.

Vascular Complications

Refer to injuries that may cause limbs to develop gangrene following a fracture.

Compartment Syndrome Signs

Clinical features include increasing pain, tense swelling, and pain with passive stretching.

Nonunion Appearance

Late complication of a fracture may present X-ray findings resembling an 'elephant foot' appearance.

Clavicle Fracture Locations

Most clavicle fractures occur in the middle third of the bone.

Complications of Clavicle Fracture

Possible injuries include pleural dome injury and neurovascular compromises.

AC Joint Dislocation Mechanism

Typically caused by a direct impact on the shoulder, often leading to various stages of dislocation.

Scapular Fracture Diagnosis

Imaging views recommended for scapular fractures include AP and lateral views.

Management for Non-displaced Scapular Fracture

Commonly managed with simple bandaging and minimal functional limitation.

Volkmann Syndrome

A serious early complication associated with forearm fractures, manifesting as pain, pallor, and an inability to use the limb.

Distal Humerus Fracture Mechanism

Often occurs following direct trauma such as a fall onto an outstretched arm.

Olecranon Fracture Clinical Signs

Common signs include marked swelling and marked elbow pain and may involve ulnar nerve lesions.

Both-bone Forearm Fracture Mechanism

Frequently caused by falling onto an outstretched hand, leading to simultaneous fractures of both radius and ulna.