Musculoskeletal Key

If multiple compartments are involved and a significant amount of muscle infarction is present, the patient may develop crush syndrome, which refers to the systemic effects of myonecrosis on the…

Deep, unequivocally full-thickness burns may be excised to the level of the investing fascia using a scalpel, an electrocautery device, or even a laser. The excised wound must be covered…

After resuscitation, management focuses on wound care to limit microbial proliferation, which can convert a partial-thickness into a full-thickness burn, and to prevent invasive infection of underlying tissue. Initial care…

Direct measurement of tissue pressure in muscle compartments using a pressure monitor (e.g., Stryker Pressure Monitor introduced in 1988) may also be useful in determining if escharotomy and fasciotomy are…

FLAME BURNS AND SCALDS Flame burns are the most common burns in adults. They are usually caused by the mishandling of flammable liquids, ignition of clothing, and house fires and…

In 2007, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel revised its previous staging scale to include Suspected Deep Tissue Injury and Unstageable Ulcers in addition to the previously described Stages I…

Heat of sufficient intensity and duration causes coagulation necrosis and cell death, but the cell damage due to heat of lesser intensity is potentially reversible. The region of immediate cell…

Once the ulcer is clean and a granulation tissue bed well established, definitive coverage/closure needs to be addressed. Small superficial ulcers heal by secondary intention as long as pressure is…

With the exception of certain nerve injuries, all soft tissues heal by the formation of collagenous scar tissue. Prompt, careful, and anatomic reapproximation of injured tendon, muscle, and skin provides…