UMEM Educational Pearls - Orthopedics

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)

SCFE can present as hip, thigh or knee pain in the young adolescent. Risk factors include hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, hypopituiratism, and obesity. One way to make the diagnosis is to obtain a AP view of the pelvis and draw a line(Klein's line) along the superior border of the neck of the femur.  This line should intersect the femoral epiphysis. If it does not the diagnosis of SCFE can be made.

However, this is only about 40% sensitivity. Green et al recently published a study that demonstrated that if you measure the distance from Klein's line and the lateral edge of the femoral epiphysis on both sides, and the difference between the two is more than 2mm you can make the diagnosis of SCFE more accurately and sooner.

FIGURE 1. Measurement methods on an anterior-posterior radiograph of a right slipped capital femoral epiphysis. White lines indicate Klein’s line for each hip. A and B, indicate maximum epiphyseal width lateral to Klein’s line. As A is 2mm narrower than B, the right (A) hip qualifies as a slip using our modification but not Klein’s original definition.

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Wound Irrigation

A recent article by Thomas et al showed that any concentration of betadiene and hydrogen peroxide used to irrigate a wound was  more toxic to fibroblasts (required for wound healing) then it was to bacteria.  Low concentrations of chlorhexidine remained bactericidial while having minimal affects on fibroblasts. 

WIth the addition of this study the routine practice of soaking a wound in betadiene or hydrogen peroxide should be abandoned.  Good irrigation with normal saline or even tap water is all that is really needed to decontaminiate a wound.  If a bactericidal agent is needed then low concentrations of chlorhexidine should be used.

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Winged scapula is caused by muscular injury or damage to corresponding muscular innervation. Mechanism can be due to blunt or penetating thoracic trauma.

• Trapezius muscle
  • Long thoracic nerve
• Serratus Anterior muscle
  • Spinal Accessory Nerve

Clinical findings include

• Protruding medial edge of the scapula
• Exacerbation by pushing against resistance
• Difficulty lifting arm over head

Treatments

• Initial splinting and orthopedic referral
• Depending on mechanism - trial of physical therapy
• Surgical treatments include fascial grafts or adjacent muscle attachment

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Snuff Box Tenderness:

It has become the standard of care that individuals with snuff box tenderness, or pain with axial loading of the thumb, be placed in a thumb spica splint for 1-2 weeks until follow up x-rays can be done.  This is done to rule out an occult scaphoid fracture.  However, this practice can be hugely inconvenient to the patient and result in some atrophy of their forearm.

An alternative approach is to obtain a CT scan through the wrist to look specifically at the scaphoid bone.  If the CT scan is negative you can send them home with some pain control, RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) treatment and let them use thier thumb.  No splint is needed.  If it is positive then you can splint them and have them follow up with orthopedics or hand surgery.

AC Joint Dislocations

The acromioclavicular (AC) Joint is commonly injured when a person falls onto their shoulder.

The AC Joint consists of three ligaments:

• acromioclavicular ligament (AC)
• coracoacromial ligament (CA)
• coracoclavicular ligament (CC)

Injuries to this joint are classified as Type I – Type VI and involve sprain or tears of the AC or CC ligaments

• Type I – Is a sprain of the joint without complete tear of either the AC or CC ligament
• Type II – Does not show significant elevation of the lateral end of the clavicle but is due to a tear of the AC ligament.
• Type III – Results from tears in the AC and CC ligament. Noted by > 5 mm elevation of the AC joint.
• Types IV – VI : are associated with complications of a Type III injury.

Monteggia's Fracture

• Fracture of the proximal 1/3 of the ulna with an associated radial head dislocation.
• Mechanisms of injury include direct blow, hyperpronation and hyperextension.
• Radial head is dislocated anteriorly in 60% of the cases.
• can be associated with Posterior Interosseous Nerve (PIN) palsy. 
• PIN is the deep motor branch of the radial nerve and supplies the wrist extensors except for Extensor Carpi radialis Longus.  The palsy can be delayed so be sure to document wrist extenson strength.
• Most patients will require operative repair of the ulna fracture.
• Splint the  forearm in neutral rotation with slight supination, keeping the elbow flexed at 90 degrees.

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Jones fracture

• Fracture of proximal metaphyseal 5th metatarsal
  • located w/in 1.5 cm distal to tuberosity of 5th metatarsal
• Prone to malunion
  • Watershed area (poor blood supply)
  • Under tension from multiple tendons
• Treatment
  • Immobilize with posterior-mold splint
  • Non-weight bearing - crutches
  • Prompt orthopedic evaluation
    • Some cases are managed with non-weight bearing casts
    • Others are repaired operatively.
    • Delayed jones fractures with malunion will require operative repair.
• Distinguish from pseudo-jones fracture (dancers fracture)
  • metatarsal styloid avulsion fracture, generally does not require operative repair
  • much more common than true Jones fracture.

Presented with persistant foot pain from
Jones fracture malunion.

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Blast Injuries:

In honor of the 4th of July holiday, here is a quick pearl about blast injuries.

• Blast injuries due to fireworks most often affect the hands. 
• Other than the obvious superficial wounds that are seen on exam, the EP should be aware of significant cavitation and destruction of muscles that can occur in the forearm, thenar and hypothenar muscle groups which may be distal from the gross wound seen. 
• The energy from the blast is often transmitted through the carpal tunnel leading to an acute carpal tunnel syndrome from contusion of the median nerve.
• Patients should also be monitored for compartment syndrome.
• These patients can have significant injruies that are not immediately apparent. Consider observing these patients for awhile, or have them seen by hand surgery in case complications develop later on.

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Metacarpal Fractures and Growth Plates:

The growth plates on metacarpals are on the distal end of the bone, except for the 1st metacarpal which is on the proximal end near the carpal bones.

Don't mistake this for a fracture line, however, make sure you get comparison views if they are tender over the area, as this can help you diagnosis a Salter Harris Type 1 fracture.

High Pressure Injection Injuries:

• These injuries initially often have a pretty benign appearance which may result in the injuried person seeking medical treatment late, or the initial medical provider not recognizing the seriousness of the injury.
• Even when treated promptly and aggressively most patients will end up with an amputation of thier finger or have permanent loss of funciton, strength, sensation, or chronic pain.
• In a couple of hours, these injuries tend to result in significant swelling that can lead to compartment syndrome. The swelling can be due to the actual disruption of cells from the high pressure, or due to toxic effects of the injected agent.
• Initial Management should consist of:
  • X-rays: Help to evaluate the extent of the injection.  Radio-opaque solvents will be seen on x-ray, but even radio-lucent solvents may be seen as lucency or air on the x-ray
  • Broad Spectrum antibiotics to prevent infection
  • Corticosteroids to decrease the inflammatory response brought on by the injected agent
  • Tetanus Prophylaxis if needed
  • Emergent hand surgery referral
• Most if not all patients will require emergent debridement of the affected area.

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Shoulder Dislocations -- Treatment

• Shoulder dislocations once reduced have typically been treated by placing the arm in a sling and swathe which holds the shoulder in adduction and internal rotation. 
• However, several studies have now shown that placing the arm in a splint with the shoulder adducted and in 10 degrees external rotation helps to prevent recurrent shoulder dislocation. 
• Patients should remain in the brace/split for 3 weeks.
• External rotation is not recommended if there is an associated fracture.
• Some commerical splints are now available to hold the shoulder in external rotation, however, you can make a small strut with plaster or fiberglass to achieve the same result.

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Nursemaid Elbow:

It is typically taught that the way to reduce a nursemaid's elbow is to hold the elbow at 90 degrees, then firmly supinate and flex the elbow. Place your thumb over the radial head and apply pressure as you supinate.(Taken from Sean Fox's Pearl on 7/20/2007)

However, there is a growing body of evidence that is showing that hyperpronating the forearm actually has a higher success rate on first attempt, is easier to perform, and is associated with less pain then supinating the forearm.  The overall reducation rates where similar for both methods.

The hyperpronation method consists of hyperpronating the forearm and then flexing the elbow.  Since the child tends to already hold their arm in partial pronation, the hyperpronation technique tends to need less force and has been associated with less pain.

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Elbow Dislocation

• The elbow is the second most commonly dislocated joint after the shoulder in adults. 
• It is the most commonly dislocated joint in children.
• 90% of all elbow dislocation are posterior.  A considerable amount of force is required to dislocate the elbow so be highly suspicous for associated fractures of the radial head, or coronoid process of the ulna. 
• The combination of a radial head fracture, coronoid process fracture and elbow dislocation is known as the terrible elbow.
• Anterior elbow dislocations can be associated with injuries to the brachial artery, median and ulnar nerves. 

Quick clinical clues that the elbow is dislocated:

• Posterior dislocation typically will have a prominent olecranon process, the arm is flexed at the elbow, and the forearm will appear shortened.
• Anterior dislocation typically present with the arm in extension and the forearm will appear elongated.

Trimallelor Fractures:

Bimallelor fracture involve both the medial mallelous of the tibia and the distal fibula.  The third malleloi is the posterior tip of the articular surface of the tibia. Can result in instability in the posterior and lateral directions along with external rotation.

Some indications for Open Reduction Internal Fixation when the posterior mallelous is fractured are:

• > 25% of the posterior articular surface being involved.
• Fractures that allow posterior subluxation of the talus
• Fractures that are displaced more than 2 mm
• Fractures that can not be reduced satisfactorily.

Knee Dislocations:

Are relatively rare injuries, but can result in loss of the limb if missed.  Patients will sometimes say they dislocated their knee when they actually mean their patella, so a good history where they describe what their knee looked like, and what they were doing at the time will help differentiated the two.

Some signs that you are dealing with a spontanously reduced knee dislocation are:

• Varus or valgus instability in full extension of the knee is suggestive of a grossly unstable knee
• Pain out of proportion to injury
• Absent or decreased pulse

The loss of limb is due to unrecognized injury to the popiteal artery which as be estimated to occur 7-45% of the time. 

• Normal pulses and a normal capillary refill does NOT rule out as significant vascular injury. 
• Arteriograms are no longer mandatory in all cases, but it is generally recommended that you perform an ankle-brachial index and get a vascular duplex scan of the popiteal artery to exclude dissections, tears, aneurysms and psuedo-anuerysms that can all occur as a result of the dislocation.

If you would like to see some videos of knee injuries in the making follow this link www.csmfoundation.org/Educational_Lower_Extremity.html

Distal Radius Fractures

• The radius is the most commonly fracutred bone of the arm.
   
• The Colles fracture is a fracture of the distal radius that is angulated dorsally [The distal fragment is angulated towards the back of the hand.]
   
• The Smith fracture is similar but the distal fracture is angulated volarly [towards the palm of the hand]
   
• Other less commonly named fractures are the:
  • Barton's - an intraarticular fracture fo the distal radius with dislocation of the radiocarpal joint.  Typically occrus as a fall on the extended and pronated wrist.
     
  • Chauffeur's fracutre - a fracture of the radial styloid process.  Typically caused by compression of the scaphoid against the styloid.  Also known as a hutchinson fracture.

• Fractures of the phalanx are common, and fractures of the proximal phalanx can lead to significant disability if not treated appropriately.

• Be sure to check for malrotation, which is a common problem.  Check for this by examing for the normal cascade in finger flexion with the tips of the fingers pointing toward the proximal portion of the scaphoid

• Acceptable Reduction:
  • No rotational deformity can be accepted
  • No more than 10 deg of angulation should be accepted in any plane
  • Malreduction will cause loss of equilibrium between flexor and extensor tendons.

• Place the splint on the dorsum side of the finger so that the patient can still have sensation of the tip of their finger tip.

• Patients requiring prompt referral to a hand surgeon are those with:
  • Intraarticular fractures
  • Malrotation
  • Unacceptable reductions
  • Unstable fractures

Radial Head Fractures:

Radial head fractures are more common in adults, where radial neck fractures are more common in children.  Remember to look for fat pads to help make the diagnosis if it is not obvious on plain films.  On plain films, a line drawn down the middle of the radial head should always line up with the capitellum of the humerus.  If this does not occur the radial head is dislocated and/or fracture.

Orthopaedics use the Mason classification to help guide treatment, and break down fractures into 3 different types.

• Type I - is undisplaced, generally treated nonoperatively. 
  • Early mobilization prevents chronic elbow stiffness.
• Type II - a single fragment is displaced.
  • May be treated nonoperatively if the displacement is minimal.
  • The rule of threes is used. Nonsurgical treatment can be considered if the fracture involves less than one third of the articular surface, less than 30° of angulation, and if displacement is less than 3 mm
• Type III  - is comminuted.
  • Usually require operative intervention.

Hamate Fractures:

• Typically the result of a direct blow, and the hook of the hamate is commonly fractured in batters or golfers.
• Like the scaphoid, the hook is at risk for avascular necrosis and non-union of the hook.
• Fractures of the body are more common than fracture of the hook of the hamate
• On exam you will typically find:
  • Increased pain with axial loading of ring (4th) and little finger (5th) metacarpals
  • Most patients complain of pain and tenderness on ulnar side of palm or on the dorsoulnar aspect of the wrist.
  • Pain also aggravated by grasping items.
• Diagnosis
  • Fracture often missed on routine AP & lateral films
  • Most fractures can be diagnosed by plain films if you as for the "Carpal tunnel view"
  • CT scan can also be used to see the fracture
• Treatment
  • Good Immobilization will often prevent avascular necrosis and allow early healing
    • Volar splint or short arm cast are usually adequate.
  • Excision of the hook of the hamate provides similar results as an ORIF in those that have non-union or displaced fractures.
  • Refer to orthopedics

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Lunate Dislocation and perilunate dislocation are broken down into 4 stages that relates to the progressive disruption of the carpal ligaments due to hyperextension and ulnar deviation of the wrist:

• Stage 1: Scapholunate Dislocation
  • Has the characteristic sign of widening of the scapholunate joint on the PA view known as the Terry Thomas Sign as it resembles the gap between his teeth
  • Gap between scaphoid and lunate should be less than 2 mm
• Stage II: Perilunate dislocation
  • Best seen on lateral view of the wrist
  • Associated with scaphoid fractures
  • Lunate stays in its normal position with the capitate dislocation posterior when you use the distal radius as your reference point
• Stage III: Perilunate dislocation
  • Also includes dislocation or fracture of the triguetrum
  • Triquetrial and scaphoid malrotation
  • In lateral view, all other carpal bones are dislocated posterior with respect to lunate
• Stage IV:  Lunate dislocation
  • On PA view you will see a triangular view of the lunate on the PA view that looks like a "piece of pie". 
  • On the lateral view of the wrist the lunate will look like a tea cup tipped in the volar direction AKA the "spilled teacup sign"
  • Associated with a scaphoid fracture
     

For a good indepth review of lunate and perilunate injuries please read the article by Andy Perron with this attached link.... doi:10.1053/ajem.2001.21306   

If you are interested in seeing some xray examples please visit LearningRadiology.com

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