Orthopaedic surgery

Question 1

Clinical signs of fracture

Answer 1

Pain
Deformity
Shortening
Crepitus (grating noise caused by rubbing of bone ends together)
Swelling and discoloration
Impaired function
Abnormal movement

Question 2

Types of fracture

Answer 2

1. Simple (closed - no damage to skin)
2. Compound (open - skin is broken)
3. Pathological eg diseased bone (tumour, osteoporosis)

Question 3

Stages of bone healing

Answer 3

1. Haematoma forms between ends of bone (deadbone reabsorbed by osteoclasts)
2. Granulation and capillary development
3. Osteoblasts start to form soft callus (new bone)
4. Callus matures and bone end reunited by approx 3 weeks
5. Remodelling
6. Original features

Question 4

Methods of fracture stabilisation

Answer 4

Plaster casts
Traction
External splints/braces
Internal fixation
External fixation

Question 5

What is a fracture

Answer 5

A break in the continuity of bone