Musculoskeletal

fracture

break in the continuity of a bone

Comminuted Fracture

More than one fracture line
More than 2 bone fragments may be shattered or crushed
Hard to treat because of soft tissue damage and bone fragments

oblique

45 degree angle break
Typically results from: direct or indirect energy, with angulation and some compression

linear fracture

Fracture parallel to long axis of bone

spiral

Rotational forces cause bone to separate in the form of an axis
cause: direct or indirect twisting energy with distal part held or unable to move

occult

fracture that is heidden or not readily discernible
cause: minor force or energy

open

skin broken over fracture, possible soft tissue trauma
cause: moderate to severe energy that is continuous and exceeds tissue tolerance

transverse

Straight line
90 degrees across the bone
cause: minor energy or force which may be direct or indirect

greenstick

incomplete fx
break in one cortex of bone with splintering of inner bone surface. commonly occurs in children and elderly
cause: minor or indirect energy

torus

buckling of cortex but not breaking
incomplete fx

bowing

bending of bone
cause: longitudinal force
incomplete fx

pathologic

break at the site of a preexisting abnormality
incomplete fx

stress

microfracture
incomplete fx

callus formation

A. bleeding at broken ends with subsequent hematoma formation
B. apoptosis
Macrophages are eating old dead tissue
C. Osteoblasts infiltrate the site and surround the ends of the bone to mend the ends together. Spaces that are left between the bone fill in.
D. Remodeling - unnecessary callous removed, bone cells are replaced.
E. normal functioning is resumed and individual is pain free.

cm of bone fracture

unnatural alignment, swelling, muscle spasm, tenderness, pain, impaired senstation and possible muscle spasms

Reduction

putting a bone fracture back in place.

Closed reduction

popping a bone back into place.

traction

series of weights to pull on bone with counter traction with controlled movement and weight distribution
Fatigues muscles to stop spasms.

skin traction

used for short term treatment

external traction

using a pin or wire through the skin

open reduction

plates, pins & screws to put bone back in place.

internal fixation

screw, plate, nail, or wire is used to maintain reduction

external fixation

pins or rods are surgically placed into uninjured bone near the fracture site and then stabilized with an external frame of bars

nonunion

bone fails to grow together; fracture fills w/ fibrous collagen and is weak; continues to break

delayed union

takes long time to heal

malunion

mends in incorrect position

dislocation

Temporary displacement of two bones
Loss of contact between articular cartilage
are associated with fractures, muscle imbalance, rheumatoid arthritis, or other forms of joint instability

subluxation

Contact between articular surfaces is only partially lost
are associated with fractures, muscle imbalance, rheumatoid arthritis, or other forms of joint instability

compartment syndrome

a dangerous complication associated with severe muscle trauma or fractures

patho of compartment syndrome

increased pressure reduces capillary blood flow, blood can't flow through it. Muscles and nerves in that area become ischemic and painful. Skin looks pale, cannot find pulse in area. Patient's sensation is diminished. Is a medical emergency. Nerve cells can only last 2-4 hrs w/o bloodflow, muscles only 6-8 hrs

6 p's of compartment syndrome

Pain,
paralysis,
pallor,
pulselessness,
polar (cold to touch)
parasthesia

strain

muscle to bone
Tear or injury to a tendon

sprain

bone to bone
Tear or injury to a ligament

avulsion

Complete separation of a tendon or ligament from its bony attachment site

tendonopathy

Repetitive motion causes injury; there is more stress than the tendon can tolerate

epicondylitis

tendonopathy in elbow
Commonly golf sports injury

patho of tendonopathy

Fluid accumulation secondary to inflammatory process causes pressure within the tendon sheath
Swelling and pain result in limited movement
May involve microtears and bleeding

CM of tendonopathy

pain worsens with activity. Active motion (innervating an area) hurts more than passive motion. Joint feels weak, but limb is not limited.

bursitis

Painful inflammation of bursa
Common in shoulder, hip, knee, elbow

etiology of bursitis

Inflammation from excessive movement, repeated trauma
bacterial infection

patho of bursitis

Inflammation causes fluid accumulation and engorgement
Can spread to adjacent tissues

osteoporosis

metabolic bone disease resulting in a reduction of density or mass of bone.
Primarily loss of spongy/cancellous bone
Bones become fragile and there is an increased risk of fracture
The remodeling process is disrupted. It normally takes 4 months but can take as long as 2 years with ______

etiology of osteoporosis

Decreased levels of estrogen and testosterone
Decreased activity level
Inadequate levels of vitamins Ca, and vitamins D and C , and Mg

osteotitis deformans

Paget disease
Excessive resorption of spongy bone and accelerated formation of softened bone
Disorganized, thickened, but soft bones
Most often affects the: long bones, skull, pelvis, and vertebra

patho of osteotitis deformans

Thickened bones can cause: abnormal bone curvatures, brain compression, impaired motor function, deafness, atrophy of the optic nerve

osteoarthritis

Degenerative Joint Disease

osteoarthritis

Form of arthritis involving progressive destruction of cartilage
Most common form of arthritis
Commonly affects weight bearing areas (knees, hips, spine, hands)

etiology of osteoarthritis

unknown
Associated with: joint stress, congenital abnormalities and joint disability due to trauma
Increased risk with: age and obesity

patho of osteoarthritis

Erosion of articular cartilage
Fissures develop and underlying bone is unprotected
Bone becomes: irritated/thickened/hardened
Bone spurs form
Deformities occur

cm of osteoarthritis

Pain, stiffness, enlargement, swelling, tenderness, limited ROM , muscle wasting, partial dislocation, deformity
Joint more symptomatic at end of day
May limp
Usually affects one joint, but can affect several

rheumatoid arthritis

A systemic, inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of connective tissue, primarily the synovial joints.
Synovial membrane primarily affected. Inflammation spreads to articular cartilage, fibrous joint capsule, tendons, and ligaments.

etiology of RA

Believed to be: autoimmune disease
Genetic Rheumatoid Factor has been identified
Females have 2-3x greater incidence

patho of RA

Immune complexes being deposited in the synovial membrane or articular cartilage in the joints
Inflammatory response; neutrophils release enzymes that damage articular cartilage and thicken synovial lining
Joint changes from chronic inflammation invades surrounding cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and joint capsule
"Pannus" forms within the joint, resulting in contracture and joint laxity
Fibrous adhesions may form, causing joint immobility and deformities

testing for RA

Presence of rheumatoid factors (RA or RF test)
Antibodies (RF) against own antibody (IgG)
Joint fluid presents with inflammatory exudate

evaluation of RA

Four or more of the following:
Morning joint stiffness lasting at least 1 hour
Arthritis of three or more joint areas
Arthritis of the hand joints
Symmetric arthritis
Rheumatoid nodules
Abnormal amounts of serum rheumatoid factor
Radiographic changes

gout

is caused by an inflammatory response to uric acid production in individuals who lack uricase.

patho of gout

Uric acid : hyperexcretion or underexcretion
Cannot be excreted. Deposits accumulate and crystallize inside joints and connective tissues
Inflammation, redness, pain and swelling at the site

CM of gout

Pain
Erythema
Edema
Warmth
What joints are most commonly affected? ankles

Asymptomatic hyperuricemia

elevated uric acid levels that dont cause symptoms

Acute gouty arthritis

Attacks of joint pain
Triggered by: trauma, drugs, alcohol

Tophaceous gout

Occurs 3-40 years after initial attack
Urate crystals appear in cartilage, synovial membranes, tendons, soft tissues.
Chronic inflammation and deformites may be seen. Can involve kidneys, heart valves, ear cartilage, etc.

contracture

occur when there is fibrosis of supporting soft tissue. The result is resistance of movement in muscles or joints.

etiology of contracture

Occurs in the absence of muscle contraction, such as an immobilized extremity
Caused by: muscle spasms or weakness
Commonly seen: muscular dystrophy and CNS injury
Can also be caused by: burned tissue

disuse atrophy

Reduction in the normal size of muscle cells as a result of prolonged inactivity
Bed rest, trauma, casting, or nerve damage

treatment for disuse atrophy

isometric movements and passive lengthening exercises

fibromyalgia

Chronic syndrome characterized by diffuse pain, fatigue, and tender points

CM of fibromyalgia

Chronic widespread joint and muscle pain
Vague symptoms
Increased sensitivity to touch, absence of inflammation, fatigue, and sleep disturbance