General Principles of Orthopedic Injuries

Fractures

Terminology of fx

anatomic location-divide bone into thirds
direction of fx lines (transverse, oblique, spiral, comminuted, butterfly, impacted)
relationship of fragments to each other-alignment, apposition, distraction if longitudinal arrangement. Talk about distal fragment in relation to proximal
Stability
Assoc. soft tissue injury.

1st degree-no swelling, minimal fibers torn

2nd-1/3 to almost complete, swelling, tenderness, no abnormal motion

3rd-abnormal joint motion.

Constant itching or burning. Cool or glossy skin. Leads to bone demineralization

bone formation in injured muscle. forms

mass preventing full range.

Polymyositis-elevated ck, purple rash around eyes, anti-jo1 consistent

with dermatomyositis. scaly red rash on knuckles.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Down's folks prone to this, incidence ~5%.

How to apply a fiberglass cast (Am J EM 2005;23:347)