Fracture Complications
These are the "6P's" seen in compartment syndrome
Think: limb losing circulation = EMERGENCY
What are pain, pulselessness, pallor, paresthesia, paralysis, poikilothermia?
This arthritis is autoimmune and inflammatory
What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
Increase this to help flush uric acid
What is fluid intake?
These meds end in “-dronate”
What are bisphosphonates?
This cancer affects ends of long bones near the knee
What is osteosarcoma?
This is used immediately after injury to allow swelling
What is a splint?
This complication occurs 24–48 hrs after a long bone fracture and shows petechiae
What is fat embolism?
This arthritis is caused by wear and tear
What is osteoarthritis (OA)?
Patients with gout should avoid this common pain medication
What is aspirin?
After taking bisphosphonates, stay upright for this long
What is 30 minutes?
This cancer affects soft tissue around bone and causes fever + swelling
What is Ewing’s sarcoma?
This traction uses weights but no pins
What is skin traction?
Unequal calf size and pain indicate this complication
Think clot = leg swelling
What is DVT?
This type is worse in the morning
What is RA?
These seafoods are high in purines and should be avoided
What are anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel?
This hormone therapy increases risk of DVT and cancer
What is estrogen (HRT)?
These cancers commonly metastasize to bone
What are prostate, breast, lung, thyroid?
This traction uses pins inserted into bone
What is skeletal traction?
This bone infection causes fever, redness, and ↑ WBC
What is osteomyelitis?
This type is usually unilateral and affects knees/hips first
What is OA?
This drink is strictly avoided in gout
What is alcohol (especially beer)?
This supplement can cause kidney stones
What is calcium?
This lab value is often elevated with bone metastasis
What is calcium?
This device stabilizes fractures outside the body with pins
What is external fixation?
Loss of blood supply to bone leading to tissue death
What is avascular necrosis?
Swan neck deformity is seen in this condition
What is RA?
This complication of gout can occur in the kidneys
What are kidney stones?
This vitamin can become toxic if levels are too high
What is vitamin D?
Most common treatment for bone metastasis
What is radiation?
This method uses plates and screws inside the body
What is internal fixation?
A patient with a cast reports severe pain not relieved by medication, numbness, and pale skin.
Pain + neurovascular changes = EMERGENCY → remove cast + fasciotomy
What is compartment syndrome?