management

Postoperative Infection

Incidence

 

Decreasing incidence in recent decades most likely attributable to preoperative antibiotics

 

Ris

 

Conventional discectomy </= 1%

Fusion 2%

Fusion & instrumentation 5-6%

 

Instrumentation doubles infection rate in lumbar fusion

 

Risk factors 

 

Diabetes 

Central Cord Syndrome

Epidemiology

 

Most common pattern cord injury

 

Hyper-extension injury in middle aged man with osteoarthritic spine

 

Usually C3/4 and C4/5

 

Mechanism

 

Most common type / in older patient with pre-existing spondylosis / OPLL

- hyperextension injury

- compression of the cord

- anteriorly by osteophytes

- posteriorly by infolded ligamentum flavum

 

Facet Joint Dislocation

Definition

 

Facet joint dislocations secondary flexion distraction injury

 

Epidemiology

 

10%

 

Stages

 

1. Unifacet subluxation - interspinous process widening

2. Unifacet dislocation - 25% anterolisthesis

3. Bifacet dislocation - 50% anterolisthesis

4. Complete vertebral translation - 100% anterolisthesis

 

Unilateral Facet Joint Dislocation

 

DIC

Definition

 

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

 

Pathology

 

Results from excessive activation of either extrinsic or intrinsic coagulation pathway

- multiple small clots 

- consumptive coagulopathy

 

1.  Excessive Extrinsic Activation

 

Secondary to extensive cellular destruction

- thromboplastins +++ released into circulation

Shin Splints

Definition

 

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

- pain along the tibial origin of tibialis posterior or soleus

 

Clinical

 

Pain anterior aspect of shin

- running

- soccer

- basketball

 

DDx 

 

Compartment Syndrome

Stress fracture of tibia

 

Mechanism

 

Usually 2° to changes in activity

- increase in mileage

Metacarpal Fractures

Fractures

 

1.  Neck of 5th Metacarpal

2.  Metacarpal Shaft

3.  Metacarpal Head

4.  Base of Metacarpal Fracture Dislocations

5.  Base of Thumb Fractures / Bennett's / Rolanda

 

1.  Neck of 5th Metacarpal Fracture

 

Non operative Management

 

Accept 45o angulation

- will have finger extensor lag, but will recover

Sacral Fractures

Mechanism

 

High energy usually

 

Occasionally osteoporotic fracture in elderly

 

Other

- radiotherapy

- fatigue fracture in children

 

Don't present as isolated injury

- associated with pelvic fracture

 

Denis Classification

 

Zone 1

- lateral to foramina

- neurologic injury from proximal migration & compression of L5 nerve root

Crush Fractures

Definition

 

Minimal trauma fracture

- secondary to osteoporosis

- wedge fractures

 

Epidemiology

 

F > M

More common in elderly patients

 

Uncommon in men < 75

- look for alternative diagnosis

 

DDx

 

Renal failure

Malignancy - metastasis

Infection

 

Clinically

 

Can present with pain