Metacarpal Fractures

* Localize fracture to head, neck or shaft (neck most common)

5th metacarpal most commonly fractured

* Note amount of angulation, shortening and the presence of malrotation

*Treatment is based on which metacarpal is fractured and the location of the fracture

*The amount of acceptable angulation varies by the digit involved

For example for index and long finger - acceptable angulation of the shaft is 10-20 degrees and neck is 10 to 15 degrees

Whereas for the 5th digit - acceptable angulation for the shaft is 40 degrees and neck is 50 degrees

Pearls

No degree of malrotation is acceptable (document the absence of this!)

Strongly suspect fight bite injury with abrasions/lacerations overlying metacarpal heads

Highly prone to infection given the proximity to the joint capsule

Consider lacerations over metacarpal fractures as open fractures (do not close/discuss management with hand surgery re timing of washout. Many prefer delayed fixation for suspected infections )

Document integrity of the extensor tendon (can be lacerated and retracted)

Femoral neck fracture

• The most commonly missed hip fracture

We typically think of the presentation of the displaced fracture severe pain, writhing in the bed, unable to ambulate, limited ROM

* However, patients with nondisplaced fractures (15 20%) may walk with a limp

* Occurs primarily in the elderly & osteoporotic population after a fall directly onto the hip

* Look for a cortical step-off in the femoral neck (w/ foreshortening)

* A patient with a minimally displaced fracture may only complain of hip, knee, or groin pain and may be able to walk (albeit with a limp)

* Almost 9% of hip fractures are radiographically normal (Nondisplaced or impacted fractures)

* Fractures which were initially nondisplaced, may become displaced upon re-presentation

* Remember the limitations of plain x-ray in the evaluation of femoral neck fractures!

* Because of the significant complication of overlooking a femoral neck fracture, MRI has become the recommended imaging modality of choice for a patient with a high suspicion for a femoral neck fracture, despite normal plain radiographs of the hip

Achilles tendon rupture

More common in

men, ages 30 - 40yo, s/p steroid injections, fluoroquinolone use, and episodic athletes "weekend warriors

Mechanism: usually during an athletic endeavor, sudden forced planar flexion or violent dorsiflexion of a plantar flexed foot

Location: Usually occurs 4 to 6 cm ABOVE the Achilles calcaneal insertion (hypovascular region)

Patient will report a sudden pop, gunshot like sound

History: Will report heel and calf pain and weakness/inability to walk

Physical examination: Palpable gap, weakness with plantar flexion, + Thompsons test

https://www.netterimages.com/images/vpv/000/000/007/7714-0550x0475.jpg

Consult orthopedics and splint in resting equinus

http://img.medscape.com/fullsize/migrated/408/535/mos0216.01.fig5b.jpg

Spondylolysis

Prevalence 3-6% in the general population (Higher in athletes)

Location: L4 (5-15% of cases) & L5 (85-95% of cases)

Population: More likely in the skeletally immature athlete due to the vulnerability of the immature pars interarticularis to repeated stress

Symptoms: Lumbar pain worse with extension

Higher risk sports: Gymnastics, diving, weightlifting, wrestling

Treatment: Bracing and activity modification, physical therapy

- Good results in 80% with conservative management allowing return to play.

- Those who fail benefit from iliac crest bone grafting and posterolateral fusion.

-Return to play is controversial in this group

Please review th images below for anaomy and imaging appearence

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/figures/A00053F01.jpg

http://www.sonsa.org/images/spondylolysis.jpg

http://www.physio-pedia.com/images/2/22/Spondylolysis_x_ray_.docx.jpg

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Recommended follow-up for common orthopedic injuries

Sever's disease also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is the most common cause of heel pain in the young adolescent (ages 8 to 12).

It can be thought of as the Achilles tendon equivalent of Osgood-Schlatter's disease (patellar tendon insertion pain).

It is a non inflammatory chronic repetitive injury.

Commonly seen bilaterally in up to two -thirds of cases.

Patients will complain of activity related pain to the heel.

There may be tenderness and local swelling at the Achilles tendon insertion.

Radiographs are not necessary for acute cases.

Treat with activity modification, heel raise, physical therapy.

Protracted Recovery from Concussion

Age and sex may influence concussion recovery time frame

Methods: 266 adolescent athletes presenting to a sports medicine concussion clinic

Female athletes had a longer recovery course (P=0.002) and required more treatment interventions (p<0.001).

Female athletes were more likely to require academic accommodations (p<0.001), vestibular therapy (P<0.001) and medications (P<0.001).

Be aware that not all concussion patient subgroups with concussions recover in the same manner. Further study is needed to support whether female adolescent athletes require unique management and treatment guidelines.

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Parental Knowledge of pediatric concussion

Sample: Parents of children brought to pediatric hospital or outpatient clinics for evaluation of orthopedic injuries.

Participants scored an average of 18.4 (0-25) on knowledge and 63.1 (15-75) on Attitudes toward concussions.

Safest attitudes were seen in white females. Knowledge increased with income and education levels.

Parents from low income or education levels may benefit from additional education in the ED prior to discharge in addition to providing paper information which may not be read or understood.

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Medial elbow pain is common among baseball pitchers and is also seen in other sports including football, javelin and gymnasts.

More than 97% of elbow pain in pitchers is located medially.

The ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow is an important structure in these patients.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/0415/afp20140415p649-f3.jpg

While initially primarily seen in professional throwers, these injuries are now being seen in younger athletes.

Initially, patients may only note changes in stamina or strength of throws.

Later, they will note pain during the acceleration and follow through-phase of throwing

http://stlhealthandwellness.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/elbow03.jpg

The Valgus stress test for UCL deficiency is similar to the valgus test for the knee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6YvPSVk6G8

Treatment: splinting, ice, NSAIDs

Surgical indications: Failure of non-operative treatment with desire to return to same or higher level competition.

Hook of Hamate Fracture

Rare (2% of all carpal fractures)

Mechanism usually direct blow from a stick sport (golf, hockey, baseball)

Presents with hypothenar pain and pain with gripping activities

Physical examination - local swelling and tenderness to palpation over hook of hamate

Diagnostic test - Hook of hamate pull test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-mjRnC1yWQ

XR - standard wrist series but add carpal tunnel view

http://openi.nlm.nih.gov/imgs/512/60/2904904/2904904_256_2009_842_Fig1_HTML.png

http://www.cmcedmasters.com/uploads/1/0/1/6/10162094/7851913.png?359

A traditional ED practice has been to combine promethazine as an anxiolytic adjunct to morphine for patients with musculoskeletal pain (eg back pain).

However, when compared to morphine alone, this combination does not lead to greater analgesia or decrease anxiety. It does however prolong ED length of stay.

This use of this "pain cocktail" is not recommended

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Most common mass in popliteal fossa

Incidence 10 to 58%

Intra-articular pathology results in flow of synovial fluid from the joint into the bursa, forming a cyst

Association with concomitant intra-articular disorders 94%

Possible pathology - Meniscus, ligamentous, arthritis, other osteochondral defects

In children this is not a pathologic finding

Symptoms - Posterior knee bulging, posterior tightness/stiffness esp. with knee flexion

Ultrasound - 100% sensitive/specific

DDx: DVT

Tx: Refer for ultrasound guided aspiration, fenestration and steroid injection

http://www.caringmedical.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Bakers-Cyst-treatment.jpg

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Sodium Supplementation and Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia (EAH) during Prolonged Exercise (ultramarathon running)

Weight loss of around 4% body weight (relative to pre race weight) can be anticipated to maintain euhydration in such a prolonged event

Those who become symptomatic with EAH have either gained weight or lost less that 3-4% body weight

Overhydration rather than inadequate supplemental sodium intake is a greater contributor to the development of EAH

There is a suggested link between EAH and rhabdomyolysis. The mechanism remains unknown and it is unclear which condition may augment the other. Further research is needed.

Take home: Avoid overhydration during prolonged exercise to prevent EAH.

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Handcuff Neuropathy

Compression of the superficial radial nerve against the radius.

Tends to occur with prisoners (too tight cuffs or person struggling)

Usually purely sensory lesion

Nerve regeneration can take 8 weeks (about an inch a month)

Document sensory exam to sharps or 2 point sensation.

DDx: De Quervain's, Carpal tunnel, Gamekeeper's thumb,

No need to splint

Triquetral fractures are the 2nd most common carpal fractures (scaphoid).

Dorsal surface most commonly.

Usually occur from impingement from the ulnar styloid, shear injury or from ligamentous avulsion.

XR: best seen on the lateral projection

http://images.radiopaedia.org/images/902179/42b3487baf4fb66183c51cd982477d_big_gallery.jpg

Remember this injury/radiographic appearance the next time you see an avulsion fracture dorsal to the proximal row of carpal bones on the lateral film but are unsure of the donor site.

A sports hernia is a painful musculotendinous injury to the medial inguinal floor.

It is the result of repetitive eccentric overload to the abdominal wall stabilizers of the pelvis.

It is common in sports that require sudden changes of direction or intense twisting movements.

Despite the term "hernia" in the title, it is not a true hernia as there is no "herniation" of abdominal contents

http://www.ssorkc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/publagia.gif

Figure description: The upward and oblique pull of the abdominal muscles on the pubis fights against the downward and lateral pull of the adductors on the inferior pubis. This imbalance of forces can lead to injury.

PE: Evaluation of other GU/GYN/other intra-abdominal pathology comes first.

Clinician may note tenderness of the pubic ramus and medial inguinal floor.

Pain is more severe with resisted hip adduction and with resisted sit-up.

Combining these maneuvers (resisted situp while adducting hips) recreates the pathophysiology described above and is a good exam maneuver.

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Colles fracture

Almost 90% of distal radius fractures

Mechanism: Fall on the outstretched, hyperextended, radially deviated wrist with the forearm in pronation

Often seen in older patients and in those with osteoporosis

Distal radius fracture with dorsal angulation/displacement and/or radial shortening. "Dinner fork deformity"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colles'_fracture#/media/File:Colles_fracture.JPG

Smith fracture (aka reverse Colles fracture)

Mechanism: Fall on the outstretched, flexed, radially deviated wrist with the forearm in pronation

Usually younger patients with high energy mechanism

Distal radius fracture with volar angulation or volar displacement. "Garden spade" deformity

Often unstable requiring ORIF

http://www.radiologyassistant.nl/data/bin/w440/a50979780ec887_Smith'-tek.jpg

Radial styloid fracture aka Chauffeur fracture

Fall causing compression of scaphoid against the styloid with wrist in dorsiflexion and ulnar deviation

Often associated with intercarpal ligamentous injuries (i.e., scapholunate dissociation, perilunate dislocation)

Often requires ORIF

http://images.radiopaedia.org/images/611818/cc52cce7bcfd8c905bcc7b5d2b6a65.jpg

Posterolateral Corner Injury

Hx: hyperextension injury (contact and non contact), varus directed blow to flexed knee, direct blow to anteriomedial knee. Report instability symptoms when knee is in full extension.

PE: Varus stress testing

Varus laxity at 0 indicate LCL and cruciate ligament (ACL/PCL) injury

Varus laxity at 30 indicates LCL injury

Dial test - inspects the external rotation at the knee joint/performed in both 30 and 90 knee flexion. The dial test inspects the external rotation at the knee joint

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW4yv0zg4RY

Positive at 30 = > 10 external rotation asymmetry = isolated PCL injury

Positive at 30 & 90 = Posterior lateral corner injury and PCL injury

Sx: pain to lateral arm, worse with overhead activity and sleeping/lying on arm

Anatomy: Pain generating structures include the rotator cuff, subacromial bursa, labrum and biceps tendon.

http://www.ortho-md.com/images/proceduresImg/SHOULDER2.jpg

Testing: Neer and Hawking tests

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8-yLHQ_JaM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYK5qL2om-c

Done indepedently, Hawkings is more sensitive, however best to combine both tests.

Imaging: not indicated

Tx: rest, ice, physical therapy (modalities), subacromial steroid injection

Posterior Shoulder Dislocations are uncommon (strong supporting structures vs. anterior)

But commonly missed by physicians

Mechanism: Direct blow anterior shoulder/FOOSH with shoulder internally rotated and ADDucted)

May also see with seizure/electric shock (tetanic contraction)

Clinical findings subtle

Shoulder held in ADDuction and internal rotation. Patient unable to externally rotate arm from this position. If habitus allows, anterior shoulder depression/posterior fullness.

Radiology: Decreased overlap between humeral head and glenoid fossa. Proximal humerus fixed in internal rotation looks like a light bulb on a stick.

Y view will show subtle posterior displacement of humeral head (not as dramatic as is in anterior dislocations!)

http://cdn.lifeinthefastlane.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/posterior_shoulder_dislocation_005.jpg

http://eorif.com/Shoulderarm/Images/Shoulder-dislocationP1.jpg