muscle 4 2025-03-10T17:37:18.229Z

Fractures

• Definition: A fracture is a sudden break of a bone due to various causes such as disease, trauma, osteomalacia, syphilis, osteomyelitis, or falls.

• Healing Process:

  • A physician must reduce the fracture to align the bone fragments properly for healing.

  • Bleeding control is crucial in compound fractures, where there is a break in the skin exposing the bone.

  • Electrical currents have been used to stimulate bone healing.

Compound Fracture

• Definition: An open compound fracture occurs when an external wound leads down to the fracture site, resulting in bone fragments protruding through the skin.

• Risks:

  • The bone ends can potentially cut nearby blood vessels or nerves, leading to internal hemorrhaging.

  • Example: In automobile accidents, a fractured rib can puncture a lung.

Types of Fractures

• Transverse Fracture: A fracture that occurs straight across the bone.

• Spiral Fracture: A fracture that occurs with a twisting motion.

• Comminuted Fracture: Bone shatters into multiple pieces due to severe impact; "comminuted" refers to breaking into small parts.

• Greenstick Fracture: An incomplete fracture where the bone bends and cracks, often seen in children due to their softer bones.

• Compression Fracture: Commonly occurs in the vertebrae, caused by pressure along the spine.

• Stress Fracture: A fine hairline fracture due to repetitive stress or overuse, often asymptomatic until a serious break occurs.

• Pathologic Fracture: Resulting from diseases like osteoporosis, tuberculosis, or bone cancer, weakening bone structure.

• Avulsion Fracture: Occurs when a muscle contraction pulls off a piece of bone; e.g., Osgood-Schlatter's fracture in the lower tibia in children.

Specific Fractures

• Hangman's Fracture: Occurs when the pedicles of the second cervical vertebra break, potentially severing the spinal cord.

• Cervical Fractures: Can lead to quadriplegia (loss of function in all four limbs) and result from trauma to the neck.

• Hip Fracture: Common in the elderly, often involves the head and neck of the femur.

• Collis Fracture: Fracture in the distal radius often caused by falls; also known as a silver fork fracture.

Trauma

• Definition: Trauma refers to an injury caused by an external force, which can include physical wounds and psychological shock.

Types of Trauma

• Muscle Injuries:

  • Pulled muscles involve a separation of muscle fibers and require RICE treatment (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).

  • Healing may lead to scar tissue formation.

• Avulsion: A forceful tearing away of a body structure often requiring surgical intervention.

• Strains: Excessive stretching or use of a muscle or tendon resulting in injury; RICE is recommended for treatment.

• Sprains: Injury to a joint due to torn ligaments, often resulting in pain, swelling, and potential hematoma.

• Dislocation: Temporary displacement of a body part, which can occur partially (subluxation) or completely; joints may require manipulation to reposition.

Notable Cases of Dislocation

• Hip Disarticulation: Removal of the head of the femur from the hip socket.

• Knee Dislocation: Often occurred from traumatic forces, requiring careful management.

Treatment Techniques for Dislocations

• Chiropractic Manipulation: Includes adjustments used to realign dislocated joints and alleviate discomfort.

Common Injuries in the Arm and Forearm

• Tennis Elbow: Injury to the extensor muscles caused by overuse.

• Partial Rupture of the Biceps: Often results from sudden, forceful contraction or trauma.

• Fractures of the Radius: Caused by various impacts leading to bone injury.