Classification of Fracture
Proper management of all fractures and dislocations—regardless of location, extent, or severity—is based on three criteria: the integrity of the overlying skin and soft tissues (i.e., open or closed fracture),…
Types of Joint Injury
TYPES OF JOINT INJURY A dislocation is a complete and persistent displacement of the articular surfaces of the bones that make up a joint relative to one another, with disruption…
Types of Displacement
FRACTURE SITES In the initial evaluation of any fracture, the examiner must identify the specific location of the fracture within the bone (see Plate 7-21). The different areas of bone…
Healing of Excised Skin Wound
Fibroblasts begin to proliferate in the base of the wound. The fibroblastic proliferation is followed immediately by the development of new capillaries bringing nutrients and oxygen to the newly formed…
Healing of Incised, Sutured Skin Wound
The first step in the inflammatory phase is the formation of a blood clot, which controls bleeding and forms a thin fibrin network, bridging the wound margins. Simultaneously, an intense…
Measurement of Intracompartmental Pressure
DECOMPRESSION OF COMPARTMENT SYNDROME There are no satisfactory nonsurgical methods for treating compartment syndromes; however, cooling of the tissue may prolong tolerance to ischemia and proper hydration may help avoid…
Incisions for Compartment Syndrome of Forearm and Hand
Postoperative care of the forearm includes a bulky dressing and splinting. The dressing is changed in 3 to 4 days in the operating room. Split-thickness skin grafts are almost always…
Incisions for Compartment Syndrome of Leg
After the four-compartment fasciotomy, intraoperative monitoring of compartmental pressure should be performed to document the decompression. Very little muscle should be debrided at the time of initial decompression, because it…
Pathophysiology of Compartment and Crush Syndromes
Thermal injuries (burns), in addition to decreasing compartment space, are associated with massive edema. Measurement of intramuscular pressure is needed to document the underlying compartment tamponade and the need for…
Acute Anterior Compartment Syndrome
Pulses Present and Pink Color. Unless there is a major arterial injury or disease, peripheral pulses are palpable and capillary refill is routinely present. Although compartment pressures are occasionally high…
