Clinical Correlation Lower Extremetiy Flashcards
Comminuted Fracture
Lots of little pieces
Intrarticular Fracture
Fracture extends into the joint
Avulsion Fracture
Fracture where a strong ligament or tendon pulls off a chunk of bone rather than rupturing
Shoulder Separation
Disruption of the AC joint
Shoulder Dislocation
Disruption of the glenohumeral joint
Rotator Cuff Tear
Acute are usually traumatic
Chronic are usually degenerative
Pain or weakness with abduction of the arm
MRI is diagnostic test of choice
Treatment depends on: Age of patient Type of tear (traumatic vs. degenerative) Time since tear Patient’s activities
Elbow Fractures
Notorious for not showing up on x-ray
BEWARE the swollen elbow! — fractured until proven otherwise
Look for the “SAIL SIGN”— indicative of joint swelling and strongly suggests fracture
NAVICULAR WRIST FRACTURE
Notorious for not showing up on x-ray
High rate of non-union
Pain in anatomic snuffbox suggests navicular fracture
wolff’s law
bony structures orient themselves in form and mass to best resist extrinsic forces
Hip arthritis presents as
groin pain
Blood supply for the femoral head starts at
the femoral neck
GAMEKEEPER’S THUMB
Tear of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb (or avulsion fx)
Laxity at the base of the thumb leads to weakness long term
Must fix close to the time of injury
Hip Fractures in General
Usually (>90%) the hip breaks and then they fall.
In the absence of MAJOR trauma, hip fracture is pathognomonic for osteoporosis
Mortality rate at 1 year approaches 50%
Right leg is foreshortened and externally rotated
Unable to bear weight
GREENSTICK FRACTURES
Incomplete fracture seen in young children
Heal quickly
Note the bend in the ulna — this is referred to as a bend “fracture”
Pain mid-forearm
Moderate swelling mid-forearm
TORUS FRACTURE
Also called “buckle fracture”
Seen in young children with soft, plastic bones
Cortex simply wrinkles
Heals quickly
Pain distal forearm
No swelling
Refuses to use the arm
