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Healing |
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In general, bones heal in 8 weeks |
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Lower limb bones heal in 16 weeks |
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Fractures in children heal in 4 weeks |
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Complications |
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Vascular compromise |
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Clinical features: |
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Pulselessness |
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Pallor |
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Pain |
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Paraesthesia |
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Paralysis |
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Treatment: |
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Remove splint & dressing |
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Surgical exploration |
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Nerve entrapment (compartment sydrome) |
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Clinical features: |
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Paraesthesia in distribution of peripheral nerve |
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Paralysis of muscles supplied by peripheral nerve |
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Treatment: |
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Conservative - steroids injections, until swelling subsides |
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Surgical - fasciotomy |
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Avascular necrosis |
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Stiff & painful joint |
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Most commonly occurs after scaphoid, femoral neck or head of talus fractures |
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On X-Ray, necrosed bone is Smaller & Denser (more radio-opaque) |
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May take up to 2 - 4 years to develop |
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Osteoarthritis |
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Treatment |
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Fluid management |
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Analgesia |
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Muscle relaxants - if attempting closed reduction |
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Antibiotics |
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Tetanus |
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Stabilise fracture |
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Reduction + external cast |
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Open reduction under anaesthesia + internal fixation |
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Mobilization |
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Once fracture is stabilised & bone has begun to heal (6 - 8 weeks) |
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Important to mobilize early to prevent disuse degeneration |
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Rehabilitation |
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Arrange to aid patient to return to functional status prior to injury |
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Refer to physiotherapy |
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Refer to occupational therapy |
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