Musculoskeletal Key

CRITICAL POINTS ▪ Fingertip injuries are common and account for approximately 4% of all emergency department visits. ▪ Sequelae of fingertip injuries include scar contracture, cold intolerance, hypersensitivity, inadequate pulp…

CRITICAL POINTS ▪ Early return to motion is key to achieving the best outcome. ▪ Rigid internal fixation methods make early return to motion possible. ▪ The choice of treatment…

CRITICAL POINTS Features of Connective Tissue ▪ The outermost connective tissues of the nerve, the perineurium, and the epineurium provide diffusion barriers to keep toxins out of the nerve and…

CRITICAL POINTS Indications ▪ Motor or sensory loss with open wound ▪ Crush or stretch injury without progressive motor or sensory recovery after 3 to 6 months. ▪ Irreparable nerve…

CRITICAL POINTS ▪ Most fractures and soft tissue injuries heal on a common timeline, and rehabilitation principles and goals coincide with this period of healing. ▪ The specifics of each…

“The most common complication of hand fractures is not malunion or infection. Rather, it is joint contractures and tendon adhesions.” Baratz and Divelbiss, 1997 CRITICAL POINTS ▪ Fracture reduction ▪…

CRITICAL POINTS Conservative Treatment ▪ Complete clinical evaluation for the entire upper extremity ▪ Decrease carpal tunnel pressure/Improve local neural circulation ▪ Proper orthosis geometry ▪ Wrist position 2 degrees…

CRITICAL POINTS ▪ Perform a biopsy and culture all tumors treated operatively. ▪ Rheumatologic workup should be considered with suggestive synovitis pattern (i.e., atraumatic ulnar wrist swelling in young patient)….

CRITICAL POINTS ▪ The numerous ways and circumstances in which humans can position their hands places the hand and finger joints at risk for injury. ▪ A thorough knowledge of…

CRITICAL POINTS Surgical Timing ▪ For an injury less than 3 weeks old, nonemergent repair is indicated unless there is active purulent infection. ▪ An injury greater than 6 weeks…