Ortho Overview Part 2 (Steiner) Flashcards
Tendons and ligaments are _____ structures
Viscoelastic
Function of tendons vs. ligaments
- Tendons create movement
- Ligaments stabilize joints and define motion of 1 bone against another
Describe 1st degree sprains
- Minimal fiber failure and pain
- No detectable joint instability
- Usually heals in a few days w/o sequelae
Describe 2nd degree sprains
- Partial tear or stretching
- Severe pain w/swelling
- Minimal joint instability
- 6 to 12 wks for recovery
Sprain is an injury to what?
Ligament
Describe 3rd degree spains
- Completely (or nearly) ruptured
- Severe pain at time of injury, but little or none afterwards
- Unstable joint
- 3-6 months recovery time
What is the best guide of grading a sprain early on?
Mechanism of injury (otherwise, they all present the same way)
Does the ACL self repair? Why?
- ACL does NOT self repair
- It lives within the joint (compared to the collateral ligaments)
- Presence of synovial fluid in the joint disrupts healing
Describe extensive immobilization of the knee
- Knee does NOT do well
- Reconstruction is recommended for those injuries
What are ligament/tendon healing events initiated by? How long does this last?
- Inflammatory response w/PMN infiltrate, fluid exudation, capillary budding
- Lasts about 3 days
By the 4th day of ligament/tendon healing, what occurs?
Fibroplasia - accumulation of fibroblasts from surrounding tissues
What occurs within 3 weeks of ligament/tendon healing?
- Granulation tissue forms surrounding the injured tissue
- Collagen fibers become longitudinally oriented
Over 3 months of ligament/tendon healing, what occurs?
Collagen fibers form bundles identical to injured tissues (results in healing)
Function of intervertebral disks?
- Sustain and distribute loads
- Prevents excess motion in spine
What are intervertebral disks composed of?
- Nucleus pulposus (inner, soft)
2. Annulus (outer, thick fibrous)
What allows the spine to handle compressive, shear and rotational forces?
Interaction of the nucleus pulposus and annulus components of the intervertebral disks
What does the interaction of the nucleus pulposus and annulus of intervertebral disks allow for?
Allows spine to handle compressive, shear and rotational forces
Which population is more susceptible to disk herniation?
Elderly
Why are elderly more susceptible to disk herniation?
- Nucleus pulposus dries out (reducing ability to handle stress)
- Annular bands weaken (NP can rupture out)
How should a multi-trauma patient be assessed initially?
A - airway
B - breathing
C - circulation
After ABC, how should a multi-trauma patient be assessed?
D - disability (neuro, consciousness)
E - expose patient (and log roll to find any other injuries)
What is often a late finding in multi-trauma patients?
ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome)
What should patients with long bone fractures (especially more than one) be watched for?
Fat embolism
- Occurs 12-48 hrs after injury
- Often happens in young adults
How does a patient with a fat embolism present?
- SOB, restlessness, confusion, fever/tach
- Petechiae on chest and axillae
- Hypoxemia on ABGs w/high PCO2