Musculoskeletal Disorders Flashcards
(89 cards)
what is the function of the musculoskeletal system
provides protection for vital organs, including brain, heart, and lungs and a framework to support body structures
what makes mobility possible
muscles and tendons hold bone together
joints allow body to move
Movement facilitates…
the return of deoxygenated blood to right side of heart by massaging venous vasculature
serves as a reservoir for…
immature blood cells and essential minerals including Ca, P, Mg, and F
define remodeling
formation of old bone is removed and new bone is added to the skeleton
what stimulates bone formation and remodeling
physical activity particularly weight bearing activity
define reabsorption
removal or destruction of bone however prolonged bed rest causes increased bone resorption from Ca loss
How do you perform the neurovascular exam?
6 P’s
Pain (early sign): worst with passive touch or movement, elevating the limb, or any pressure, stretching increases the pain, and pain meds are not relieving
Paresthesia (early sign): the patient may report it feels like the extremity distal to the fractire feels like its falling asleep “pins and needles”sensation, can they feel you touch their extremity? check unaffected extremity to compare
Pallor: extremity should be pink and have normal capillary refill less than 2 seconds, In compartment syndrome, may appear pale or dusky and have a capillary refill greater than 2 seconds
paralysis: can the patient move the distal extremity from the fracture or has the movement decreased
poikilothermia: occurs when the affected extremity distal from the fracture feels cooler to the touch compared to the unaffected extremity, cannot regulate its temperature
pulselessness: always mark the pulses with a black marker and have a doppler available to monitor the sound of the pulse (this is a late sign)
what is back pain
most common in lumbosacral and cervical vertebrae because these are the areas where vertebral column is most flexible
patients with back pain assess…
gait, spinal mobility, reflexes, leg length, leg motor strength and sensory perception
back pain sign and symptoms
pain
radiculopathy: pain radiating down leg
sciatica: pain radiating from inflamed sciatic nerve
muscle spasm
numbness/tingling
leg weaknes
bowel or bladder incontinence
back pain nursing interventions
physical therapy
hot/cold applications
pharm: NSAIDS/ muscle relaxants; antidepressants/atypical convulsants
surgery
prevention of low back pain/injury
use good posture and safe handling practices with specific attention to bending, lifting, and sitting
assess need for assistance with household chores
participate in regular exercise program,
avoid prolonged sitting and standing
keep weight within 10% of ideal body weight
avoid wearing high-heeled shoes
what is carpel tunnel syndrome
common condition which the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed causing pain and numbness
signs and symptoms of carpel tunnel
Paresthesias
Numbness
Pain (may be worse at night)
Weak pinch
Clumsiness (dropping things)
Difficulty with fine motor movements
+ Phalen’s test
+ Tinel’s sign
carpel tunnel interventions
Splint / hand brace
Acupuncture
Pharmacological:
NSAIDs: for pain relief and inflammation
Corticosteroid injections
Surgery
health promotion activities to prevent carpel tunnel
Become familiar with federal and state laws regarding workplace requirements to prevent repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
When using equipment or computer workstations that can contribute to developing CTS, assess that they are ergonomically appropriate, including:
Specially designed wrist rest devices
Geometrically designed computer keyboards
Chair height that allows good posture
Take regular short breaks away from activities that cause repetitive stress, such as working at computers
Stretch fingers and wrists frequently during work hours
Stay as relaxed as possible when using equipment that causes repetitive stress
what is osteoporosis
:a chronic metabolic disease in which bone loss causes decreased density and possible fracture from reduced bone mass, deterioration of bone matrix, and diminished bone architectural strength
define osteopenia
low bone mass
osteoporosis signs and symptoms
Dowager’s hump / kyphosis
“Shorter”
Back pain, especially with activity
Swelling
Malalignment
Constipation
Abdominal distention
Reflux esophagitis
Respiratory compromise
osteopenia and osteoporosis occur when…
osteoclastic (bone resorption) activity is greater than osteoblastic (bone building) activity
osteoporosis diagnostic labs and test
labs:
Serum calcium
Vitamin D3
Phosphorus
Urinary calcium
tests:
BMD testing
Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA, orDEXA) scans
X-rays
osteoporosis interventions
Prevention is best and needs to start early in life
Life style modifications
Pharmacological:
Calcium & vitamin D3 supplements
Bisphosphonates: slow bone resorption by binding with crystal elements in the bone
Alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), and risedronate (Actonel, Atelvia)
Estrogen agonist / hormone therapy ?
osteoporosis complications
Osteoporosis results in more than 1.5 million fragility fractures each year
A woman who experiences a hip fracture has a 4 times greater risk for a second fracture
The mortality rate for older patients with hip fractures is very high, especially within the first 6 months, and the debilitating effects can be devastating
The reported 1-yearmortality aftersustaining ahip fracturehas been estimated to be 14% to 58%