Musculoskeletal Injuries

Scenario
You respond to a soccer field for an
“accidental injury.” Your patient is a
33-year old male who is complaining
of severe right ankle pain. You note
gross angulation and deformity of the
ankle and carefully remove his shoe to
assess his distal circulation. Your
examination reveals that there is
almost no perfusion to his foot.
 Discussion
 What exam findings would lead you to
believe that perfusion to the extremity is
poor?

 Describe actions that should be taken

immediately to improve blood flow to the
foot.

 How will you determine if your actions are

successful?

 What anatomical structures are likely

involved in this injury?
Introduction to Musculoskeletal Injuries

 Millions of Americans experience

annually.
 Multiple MOI
 Falls, Crashes, Violence, etc
 Multi-system trauma
 Anatomy & Physiology of the
Musculoskeletal System
 Skeletal Tissue & Structure
 Protections organs
 Allows for efficient movement
 Stores salts and other materials needed
for metabolism
 Produces RBC’s
 Pathophysiology of the
Musculoskeletal System
 Muscular Injury
 Contusion
 Compartment Syndrome
 Penetrating Injury
 Fatigue
 Muscle Cramp
 Muscle Spasm
 Strain
 Anatomy & Physiology of the
Musculoskeletal System
 Appendicular skeleton (126 bones)
 Pectoral girdle (4)
 Clavicle
 Scapula

 Upper limbs (60)

 Pelvic girdle (2)
 Lower limbs (60)
 Anatomy — Skeletal System
Bone Classifications
 Long bones
 Short bones
 Flat bones
 Irregular bones
 Anatomy — Skeletal System
Posterior view
 Anatomy & Physiology of the
Musculoskeletal System
 Bone Aging
 Birth to Adult (18-20)
 Transition from flexible to firm bone
 Adult to elderly (40+)
 Reduction in collagen matrix and calcium
salts
 Diminution of bone strength

 Spinal curvature
Anatomy & Physiology of the
Musculoskeletal System
 Muscular Tissue
& Structure
 600 muscle
groups
 Types of
muscles
 Smooth
 Striated

 Cardiac
 Skeletal Muscles

 Have striations
 Greater strength
 Referred to as striated muscle
 Are under voluntary control
 Also called voluntary muscles
 Skeletal Muscles

 Conscious control
 40% of total body mass
 Two attachments
 Origin: More fixed and proximal
attachment
 Insertion: More movable and distal
attachment
Contractions are rapid and forceful
 Smooth Muscles

 Walls of hollow organs (e.g., urinary

bladder and uterus)
 Walls of tubes (e.g., respiratory,
digestive, reproductive, urinary, and
circulatory systems)
 Innervated by autonomic nervous
system
 Regulates size of lumen of tubular
structures
 Contractions strong and slow
 Cardiac Muscles

Cardiac Muscles
 Have strength of skeletal muscle and endurance
of smooth muscle
 Provide for movement of blood through the body
on a continuous basis
 Respond to stimulation from the nervous system
 Highly sensitive to lack of oxygen
 Respond to lack of oxygen with pain in that area
(angina)
 Cardiac Muscles

 Myocardium
 Forms middle layer of
heart

 Innervated by
autonomic nervous
system but contracts
spontaneously without
any nerve supply

 Contractions are
strong and rhythmic
 Tendons
 Bands of connective tissue
 Bind muscles to bones

 Allow for power of movement across

joints

 Supplied by sensory fibers that

extend from muscle nerves
 Bursae
 Flattened, closed sacs of synovial fluid

 Where tendon rubs against bone,

ligament, or other tendon

 Reduce friction

 Act as shock absorber

 Fill with fluid when infected or injured

 Cartilage
 Connective tissue covering epiphysis

 Surface for articulation

 Allows for smooth movement at

joints
 Ligaments
 Connective tissue that crosses joints

 Attaches bone to bone

 Stretch more easily than tendons

 Allow for stable range of motion

 Fascia
 Dense fibrous connective tissue

 Forms bands or sheets

 Covers muscles, blood vessels, and

nerves

 Supports and anchors organs to

nearby structures
 Pathophysiology of the
Musculoskeletal System
 Joint Injury
 Sprain
 Subluxation
 Dislocation
 Bone Injury
 Open Fracture
 Closed Fracture
 Hairline Fracture
 Impacted Fracture
 Pathophysiology — Mechanism of
Injury
Five forces cause bone and joint injury
 Direct force
 Indirect force
 Twisting force
 Pathological
 Fatigue
 Classifications of Musculoskeletal
Injuries
 Injuries include:
 Fractures
 Sprains
 Strains

 Joint dislocations
 Musculoskeletal Injuries
 Direct trauma
 Blunt force applied to an extremity

 Indirect trauma
 Vertical fall that produces spinal fracture
distant from site of impact

 Pathological conditions
 Some forms of arthritis
 Malignancy
 Pathophysiology — Fractures
Unstable — Proximal and distal ends
move freely in relationship to each
other
Impacted — Jammed together so there is no
movement between proximal and distal
bones
Open — Skin is open, allowing
introduction of bacteria, dirt, and
other foreign bodies
Closed — Skin is intact
Fracture with dislocation — Fracture at
 Fractures
 Break in continuity of bone or
cartilage

 Complete or incomplete
 Line of fracture through bone

 Open or closed
 Integrity of skin near fracture site
 Classification of Fractures
 Open

 Closed

 Comminuted

 Greenstick

 Spiral
 Classification of Fractures
 Oblique

 Transverse

 Stress

 Pathological

 Epiphyseal
Classification of Fractures
Pathophysiology — Fractures
Impacted
Pathophysiology — Fractures
 Joint Dislocations
 Normal articulating ends of two or more bones
are displaced
 Luxation: Complete dislocation
 Subluxation: Incomplete dislocation

 Frequently dislocated joints

 Suspect joint dislocation when joint is deformed

or does not have normal range of motion

 Dislocations can result in great damage and

instability
Pathophysiology — Fractures
Dislocation - Angulated
Pathophysiology — Fractures
 Sprains
 Partial tearing of ligament

 Caused by sudden twisting or stretching of

joint beyond normal range of motion

 Common in ankle and knee

 Graded by severity
 First-degree sprain
 Second-degree sprain
 Third-degree sprain
 Strains
 Injury to muscle or its tendon

 Overexertion or overextension

 Common in back and arms

 May have significant loss of function

 Severe strains may cause avulsion of bone

from attachment site
Pathophysiology of the Musculoskeletal
System
 Inflammatory & Degenerative
Conditions
 Bursitis
 Tendinitis
 Arthritis
 Osteoarthritis
 Degenerative
 Rheumatoid Arthritis
 Chronic, systemic, progressive, debilitating
 Gout
 Inflammation of joints produced by accumulation
of uric acid crystals
 Bursitis
 Inflammation of bursa
 Small, fluid-filled sac acts as cushion at
a pressure point near joints
 Most important bursae are around knee,
elbow, and shoulder
 Bursitis
 Bursitis is usually from:
 Pressure
 Friction
 Injury to membranes surrounding the
joint

 Treatment
 Rest, ice, and analgesics
 Tendonitis
 Inflammation of tendon
 Often caused by injury

 Symptoms include:
 Pain
 Tenderness
 Restricted movement of muscle attached to affected
tendon

 Treatment
 Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
 Corticosteroid medications
 Arthritis
 Joint inflammation
 Pain, swelling, stiffness, and redness

 Joint disease
 Involving one or many joints
 Many causes

 Varies in severity
 Mild ache and stiffness
 Severe pain and later joint deformity
 Arthritis
 Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis)
most common

 Pain usually managed with

antiinflammatory agents
 Extremity Trauma
 Signs and symptoms
 Pain on palpation or movement
 Swelling, deformity
 Crepitus
 Decreased range of motion
 False movement (unnatural movement
of extremity)
 Decreased or absent sensory perception
or circulation distal to injury
 Six "P"s of Compartment
Syndrome
 Pain
 On palpation (tenderness)
 On movement
 Pallor—pale skin or poor capillary
refill
 Paresthesia—pins and needles
sensation
 Pulses—diminished or absent
 Paralysis—inability to move
 Pressure
 Associated Complications
 Hemorrhage

 Instability

 Loss of tissue

 Simple laceration and contamination

 Interruption of blood supply

 Nerve damage

 Long-term disability
 Assessment
 Determine if life-threatening
conditions are present
 Care for those first

 Never overlook musculoskeletal

trauma

 Don’t allow noncritical

musculoskeletal injury to distract
 Musculoskeletal Assessment
 Four classes of patients
 Life-/limb-threatening injuries or
conditions
 Includes life-/limb-threatening
musculoskeletal trauma
 Other life-/limb-threatening injuries and
simple musculoskeletal trauma
 Life-/limb-threatening musculoskeletal
trauma
 No other life-/limb-threatening injuries
 Isolated, non-life-/limb-threatening
Musculoskeletal Injury Assessment
 Scene Size-up
 Initial Assessment
 Categories of urgency
 Life & Limb threatening injury
 Life threatening injury and minor musculoskeletal
injury
 Non-life threatening injuries but serious
musculoskeletal injuries
 Non-life threatening injuries and only isolated minor
musculoskeletal injuries
 Rapid Trauma Assessment
 Focused H&P
 6 P’s: Pain, Pallor, Paralysis, Paresthesia,
Pressure, Pulses
 Detailed Physical Exam
 Ongoing Assessment
 Sports Injury Consideration
Age-Associated Changes
in Bones
 Water content of intervertebral disks
decreases
 Increased risk of disk herniation
 Loss of stature is common – ½ - 3/4
inch
 Bone tissue disorders shorten trunk
Age-Associated Changes
in Bones
 Vertebral column assumes arch shape

 Costal cartilages ossify, making thorax

more rigid

 Shallow breathing due to rigid thoracic

cage

 Facial contours change

 Fractures
 Limb-Threatening Injuries
 Knee dislocation
 Fracture or dislocation of ankle
 Subcondylar fractures of elbow
 Require rapid transport
 Musculoskeletal Injury Management

 Other Injury Consideration

 Pediatric Musculoskeletal Injury
 Athletic Musculoskeletal Injury
 Patient Refusals & Referral
 Psychological Support
 Musculoskeletal Injury Management

 General Principles
 Protecting Open Wounds
 Positioning the limb
 Immobilizing the injury
 Checking Neurovascular Function
Musculoskeletal Injury Management
 Splinting Devices
 Rigid splints
 Formable Splints
 Soft Splints
 Traction Splints
 Other Splinting Aids
 Vacuum Splints

 Air Sprints

 Cravats or Velcro Splints

 Fracture Care
 Joint Care
 Muscular & Connective Tissue Care
 Musculoskeletal Injury Management

 Care for Specific Fractures

 Pelvis
 Scoop Stretcher
 PASG

 Fluid Resuscitation

 Femur
 Traction Splints
 PASG

 Fracture versus hip doslocation

 Musculoskeletal Injury Management

 Care Specific Fractures

 Tibia/Fibula
 Clavicle
 Most frequently fractured bond in the body
 Transmitted to 1st and 2nd rib

 Alert for lung injury

 Humerus
 Radius/Ulna
 Musculoskeletal Injury Management

 Care for Specific Joint Injuries

 Hip



Knee
Ankle
Joint
 Foot Injuries
 Shoulder
 Elbow Alert for
 Wrist/Hand PMS
Finger
Compromis

 Musculoskeletal Injury Management

 Soft & Connective Tissue Injuries

 Tendon
 Ligament
 Muscle
 Musculoskeletal Injury Management
Medications
Not A Biotel Option
 Nitrous Oxide  Diazepam
 50% O2:50% N  Benzodiazepine
 Non-explosive  Antianxiety
 Effects dissipate in  Analgesic
2-5 minutes  Dose
 Easily diffused into  5-15 mg titrated
air filled spaces in  Onset
body.  10-15 minutes
 Dose  Duration
 Inhaled & self
 15-60 minutes
administered  Counter Agent
 Onset  Flumazenil
 1-2 minutes
Dislocation of Acromioclavicular
Joint
 Humerus Injury
 Older adults and
children

 Difficult to stabilize

 Complications
 Radial nerve damage
if fracture in middle
or distal portion of
humeral shaft
 Humeral neck
fracture may cause
axillary nerve
damage
 Internal hemorrhage
into joint
Posterior Dislocation of the Elbow
Joint with Marked Deformity
Severe Open Fracture of
Forearm
Penetration of Forearm Caused by Nail
Gun
Greenstick Fracture With
Marked Deformity
Fracture of the Distal Radius
Hand Injury from a Motorcycle Crash
 Femur Injury
 Diameter of right
thigh represents
increased blood
volume of 2 to 3 L
Open Fracture of the Lower Leg
Subtalar Dislocation
Foot that was Run Over by the
Wheel of a Railway Coach
Musculoskeletal Injury Management
Medications

 Oxygen
n Nitrous Oxide
n Morphine Sulfate
 Fluids
 Nitrous Oxide
 Class: Gaseous Analgesic/Anesthetic 
 Route: Inhalation Adult Dose: Instruct
patient to inhale deeply through
patient-held mask or
mouthpiece Pediatric
 Dose: Instruct patient to inhale deeply
through patient-held mask or
mouthpiece Drug
 Action: Depresses the central nervous
system Increases oxygen tension in the
blood thereby reducing hypoxia Onset:2
minutes - 5 minutes Duration:2 minutes
- 5 minutes 
 Nitrous Oxide
 Indications: Adjunct analgesic for ischemic
chest pain  Severe pain or discomfort in all
patients without contraindications.  
 Precautions: Must be self administered  Check
machine gauges daily for proper
concentrations  Monitor blood pressure and
pulse oximetry values during administration  
 Side Effects: Hypotension Dizziness Nausea
and vomiting 
 Contraindications: Any altered level of
consciousness or head injury  Chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease   Chest trauma
or actual/suspected pneumothorax  Abdominal
trauma  Major facial trauma  Acutely psychotic
patients  Pregnancy, other than active
labor  Any patient (adult or pediatric) unable to
self-administer Decompression sickness
 Morphine Sulfate
 Indications Pain and anxiety secondary to AMI
Chest pain unrelieved by Nitroglycerin
Pulmonary edema
Pain secondary to amputations or fractures

Precautions: Monitor respiratory status and

blood pressure closely.
Notify Biotel prior to administration if patient is
>65yrs of age, debilitated, has altered mental
status, or systolic BP<110mmHg
CHF: be prepared to intubate

Antidote: Naloxone (Narcan®)

 Morphine Sulfate
 Class: Narcotic Analgesic
Route: Slow IV push

Dose: Adult: Administer in titrated doses of 2 -
4mg, up to a maximum of 10mg
Pediatric: 0.1mg/kg

Drug Action: Alleviates pain

 Decreases peripheral vascular resistance -
vasodilator
 Decreases cardiac workload and oxygen demand
on the heart