Lower Extremity Injuries Flashcards
(140 cards)
How should a suspected PROXIMAL FEMUR FRACTURE be managed ACUTELY?
- MEDICAL EMERGENCY
- Call EMS
- Treat for shock
- Splint before moving them
- test neurovascular structures periodically
- most require surgery
If an acetabular fracture is missed - what can result?
- Avascular necrosis of the femoral head
What would prompt URGENT HOSPITALIZATION with a Traumatic PELVIC FRACTURE?
- Disruption of the pelvic ring
- Abdominal organ injury or Hemorrhage
*no disruption of ring = treat based on symptoms
What is a test used to diagnose Femoral shaft Stress Fractures?
- FULCRUM TEST (assessor’s arm under thigh; pushes superior to inferior at distal thigh; +ve = pain and apprehension)
What types of femoral stress fractures are HIGH RISK? How are they treated?
- LATERAL FEMORAL NECK
- FEMORAL HEAD
- Surgical Stabilization OR STRICT non-weightbearing (until callous forms)
- typically occur at neck and are due to COXA VARA
What is the typical TREATMENT for LE STRESS FRACTURE?
- PROPER diagnosis is important
- refer to MD
- Weight bearing restrictions (Non or limited)
What is the typical CAUSE of Lower Extremity APOPHYSITIS? What are expected RTP timeframes?
- Chronic traction forces
- RTP =2-6 months (~3.1 month average)
How should an uncomplicated ACUTE AVULSION fracture in the lower extremity be treated?
- TTWB for 1-2 months
- gradual progression of strengthening and stretching of impacted muscle as tolerated
- if displaced - may need surgery
What anatomical factors increase the prevalence for hip LABRAL pathology?
- Coxa Vara
- increased center-edge angle (measures anterior coverage of femoral head by acetabulum)
- Retroverted femur
- Retroverted acetabulum
How should LABRAL PATHOLOGY of the hip be managed ACUTELY?
- REST
- Protected weightbearing
- avoiding TRANSVERSE plane movement
What are some DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES for FAI?
- Osteitis pubis
- Athletic Pubalgia
- Lumbosacral Pathology
Does FAI typically present with palpatory tenderness?Weak hip flexors and abductors?
- No
- Yes
What are some STRUCTURAL DEFORMITIES that can contribute to hip instability?
- Shallow acetabulum (contributes to labral tears)
- Excessive acetabular retroversion or anteversion
- Inferior acetabular insufficiency
- Neck-shaft angle >140 deg (coxa valga)
What is FOCAL ROTARY INSTABILITY of the hip?
- Laxity at ligamentous (often iliofemoral ligament) or capsular structure DUE TO repeated forceful rotation at hip (i.e.: golf, ballet, martial arts, baseball)
What is the most common direction of HIP DISLOCATION? What is the MOI?
- ~85% POSTERIOR
- MOI = ant to posterior force on flexed and adducted hip
How should a HIP DISLOCATION be managed ACUTELY?
- EMERGENT reduction (avoid Osteonecrosis)
* evaluate neurovascular status of leg (cutaneous nerve function, distal pulses - popliteal and dorsalis pedis)
What is the HIP APPREHENSION sign? What is it used for?
- Passively EXTEND, ABDUCT, EXTERNALLY ROTATE = may report sensation of instability
- to test for atraumatic hip instability (hip is typically unstable in the posterior direction which is the most common direction)
What activities or movements should the athlete with hip instability avoid?
- FORCEFUL HIP EXTENSION
- FORCEFUL ROTATIONAL LOADING
*these movements stress passive restraints
What are some SPECIAL TESTS to determine atraumatic HIP INSTABILITY?
- FABER
- FADIR
- HIP IR >30 deg at 90 deg flex
- hip APPREHENSION sign
What are some PRIMARY treatment focuses with REHAB for patients with atraumatic hip instability ?
- FOCUS ON NEURO RE-ED
- STRENGTHEN HIP ABDUCTORS AND ROTATORS (to assist in supporting limited passive restraints)
Severe hip flexor injuries can lead to profound swelling which can cause what?
FEMORAL NERVE PALSY
What can be predictive for adductor strains?
Relative strength deficits between hip abductors and adductors
What is the most commonly injured hip adductor muscle?
- ADDUCTOR LONGUS
* has excellent blood supply - can rehab aggressively
What muscles are indicated in ATHLETIC PUBALGIA (sports hernia)?
PUBIC ATTACHMENTS OF:
- RECTUS ABDOMINUS
- HIP ADDUCTORS
*often attributed to imbalance - strong adductors and weak abdominals