Orthopedics Flashcards
(82 cards)
Most common causes of infection following arthroplasty by timeframe
- < 3 months: S. aureus
- 3-12 months: S. epidermidis
Patient presents with suspected vertebral osteomyelitis. MRI supports diagnosis. Blood cultures return negative. What is the next step in diagnosis?
CT guided biopsy
Broad coverage for osteomyelitis
Vancomycin + ciprofloxacin
Or more generally speaking, it should cover both Staph and S. aeruginosa
Initial empiric treatment of osteomyelitis

Narrowed osteomyelitis abx and special case management

Treatment of osteoarthritis
- Since it is not an inflammatory arthritis, medical treatment addressing the ulderlying cause is somewhat limited:
- Primarily weight loss and cessation of joint-loading activities
- Symptomatically, analgesics should be utilized when appropriate
- If the above measures fail to adequately address the problem, total arthroplasty/joint replacement is the definitive surgical therapy
Morton’s neuroma

Baker cyst aka Popliteal cyst
- Swelling in the popliteal fossa that contains synovial fluid. Produced by synovial inflammation, leading to excessive synovial fluid production.
- Sx: Mostly asymptomatic, detected on imaging. If symptomatic, swelling of the popliteal fossa and posterior knee pain are common.
- Dx: Clinical. Plain x-ray or ultrasound may be helpful. MRI if really not sure.
- Tx: If asymptomatic, no treatment necessary. If a problem, treat underlying knee pathology, intra-articular glucocorticoids. If persistant, surgical drainage/excision.
- Complications: Cyst may enlarge and rupture, leading synovial fluid into the lower leg muscles. This presentation can mimic a calf DVT.

Plantar fasciitis
- Inflammation of the plantar aponeurosis
- Etiology: Repetitive microtrauma
- Risk factors: Foot deformities, training errors (excessive training, sudden change in training rigor, inappropriate equipment)
- Most common in runners and ballet dancers
- Pres: Pain in heel and sole of foot. Worsens after periods of inactivity or prolonged weight bearing.
- Dx: Point tenderness on the sole. US shows plantar fascia thickening, edema (especially at calcaneus insertion). X-ray may show outgrowth of calcaneus bony tuberosity (heel spur).
- Tx: Plantar foot and calf stretching. Heel shoe inserts. Avoid aggrivating movements. NSAIDs, glucocorticoid injection.
Genu varum vs Genu valgum
- Etiologies:
- Varum: Normal at birth, but should correct with age. Rickets is the most classic pathologic etiology. Skeletal dysplasia (Schmid metachondreal dysplasia) or neoplasm are also possible.
- Valgum: Normal at 2-5 years, but should correct with age. Post-traumatic in setting of distal femur fracture is most classic pathologic etiology. May occur due to rickets, but less common than varum. Skeletal dysplasia and neoplasm are also possible.

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
- Etiology: Gluteus medius or gluteus minimus tendinopathy
- Common cause of lateral hip pain, generally localized to the greater trochanter at the proximal tibia with tenderness to palpation
- Dx: X-ray to rule out other etiologies (osteoarthritis, femoral neck fracture). US may show thickening of the iliotibial band.
- MRI necessary to prior to surgery to visualize anatomy.
- Tx: Mainly conservative. Physical therapy, joint rest. Oral NSAIDs and glucocorticoid injections for pain. In cases that do not respond to conservative management for > 12 months, bursectomy is indicated.
Monteggia forearm fracture
- Common in kids
- Tx:
- Kids w/ uncomplicated fracture: closed reduction, casting
- Adults or complicated fracture: open reduction and internal fixation

Galeazzi forearm fracture
- Common in kids
- Tx:
- Kids w/ uncomplicated fracture: closed reduction, casting
- Adults or complicated fracture: open reduction and internal fixation

Prepatellar bursitis
- Etiology: often caused by overuse injuries (excessive kneeling) or repeated trauma to the knee
- Professions which require frequent kneeling (e.g., carpet installers, masons, plumbers, mechanics) are especially prone to developing prepatellar bursitis.
- Tx: Treatment is conservative and involves rest, ice or heat, elevation, NSAIDs, and, in case of infection, antibiotics.

Psoas abscess
- May present as:
- apparent appendicitis without an inflammed appendix,
- appendicitis presentation on the left,
- or apparent pyelonephritis with CVA tenderness but negative urinalysis
- Dx: CT or MRI to visualize abscess
- Tx: Drainage, abx
Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Most common in young female athletes
- Pain produced specifically with pressing of patella into femur is a specific sign

Mallet finger
- Etiology: Finger trauma, rupture of extensor digitorum tendon
- Uncomplicated if no associated displaced fractures, extension deficit < 45°
- Tx:
- Uncomplicated: a stack splint is used to stabilize the joint for 6–8 weeks in slight hyperextension position, to achieve close approximation of the tendon ends and full recovery.
- Complicated: Surgical repair

Jersey finger
- Etiology: Flexor digitorum profundus tendon rupture
- Pain and swelling of DIP, loss of DIP flexion
- Tx: Always surgical w/ tendon repair

Finger tendons

Boutonierre deformity
- Etiology: Slippage/disruption of the central band of the extensor digitorum tendon (same tendon as in Mallet finger). May be due to trauma or rheumatoid arthritis
- Tx:
- Conservative: Generally for trauma. Splint the finger in extension
- Surgical repair: For chronic deformity, as in RA

Gamekeeper’s thumb aka Skier’s thumb
- Etiology: Break of the insertion point of the the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb
- Characteristically weak grip due to inability to provide oppositional thumb force
- Tx:
- Conervative: Thumb spica / splint
- Surgical repair: For persistent deformities

Skier’s thumb x-ray

Clavicular fracture management
-
Uncomplicated (no gross deformity, no skin penetration, in place):
- Simple shoulder sling for 4-6 weeks. Physical therapy after 2-4 weeks.
-
Complicated (gross deformity, skin penetration, displaced):
- Open reduction and interal fixation. May require clavicular plate if displaced, open fracture, or evidence of neurovascular injury.
Clavicle bony anatomy




























