Emergency Care 14th Edition - Chapter 32

What are the 6 P's of the musculoskeletal assessment?

pain, paresthesia, paresis, pallor, pulselessness, poikilothermia

Signs/symptoms of musculoskeletal injuries

1) pain and tenderness 2) deformity or angulation 3) grating (or crepitus) 4) swelling 5) bruising 6) exposed bone ends 7) joints locked into position 8) nerve and blood-vessel compromise

What is a joint?

A joint is the part of the body where two or more bones meet to allow movement.

What is a ligament?

A ligament is a fibrous connective tissue that attaches bone to bone, and usually serves to hold structures together and keep them stable.

Signs/symptoms of compartment syndrome

A new and persistent deep ache in an arm or leg. Pain that seems greater than expected for the severity of the injury. Numbness, pins-and-needles, or electricity-like pain in the limb. Swelling, tightness and bruising.

What is a bone?

Bone is living tissue that makes up the body's skeleton. There are 3 types of bone tissue

What is crepitus?

grating sound created by the rubbing of bone fragments

What are the dangers of not splinting properly?

blisters, an array of skin problems, excessive swelling, and poor fracture immobilization, nerve damage or extended injury.

Complications associated with bone fractures

blood clots, hemorrhaging, nerve damage, embolism, compartment syndrome

What is a muscle?

tissue that contracts and relaxes, making movement possible

What is a tendon?

Attaches muscle to bone

What are the different type of fractures?

Comminuted Fracture -Broken in several places Greenstick Fracture -Incomplete break Angulated Fracture -Bent at angle

What are the parts of a bone?

Compact tissue, Cancellous tissue, and Subchondral tissue

What is compartment syndrome?

Damage to nerves and vasculature of an extremity due to compression

What are the benefits of splinting?

Decrease pain and bleeding as well as prevent further vascular, nerve and soft tissue damage. Splinting allows for swelling avoiding compartment syndrome.

Difference between a sprain and a strain

Sprain is injury to Ligaments, Strain is injury to muscles (tendons)

What can cause compartment syndrome?

a broken bone or a crush injury - this is the most common cause. a plaster cast or tight bandage being applied to a limb before it has stopped swelling.

Difference between a knee dislocation and a patella dislocation

a dislocated patella is the kneecap being dislocated, and a knee dislocation involves the tibia and femur