What is the mechanism of a femur fracture?
Trauma is the most common mechanism of femoral shaft fractures, typically involving a direct hit to the thigh or an indirect force transmitted through the knee. Younger individuals generally are engaged in high energy mechanisms such as automobile accidents, frequently resulting in other associated injuries.
Which injury mechanism is most commonly responsible for femur fractures?
Supracondylar femur fractures are defined as metaphyseal fractures of the distal femur with or without intraarticular extension (Fig. 8A). A minor slip or fall on a flexed knee with a valgus or varus stress is usually responsible for these fractures.
What assessment findings are consistent with non accidental trauma?
Although physical exam findings can be non-existent or non-specific, highly specific findings include bruising over soft tissue areas; bruises/burns that are patterned take the form of an object; any bruising in a non-mobile child; scald burns on the hands, legs, feet, or buttocks; and stocking-and-glove patterned …
What is non accidental trauma?
Non-accidental trauma (NAT) is an injury that is purposefully inflicted upon a child—in other words, child abuse. Often the injury is to the skin and soft tissue, but approximately a third of NATs are fractures.
What is the pathophysiology of fracture?
Fractures occur in patients with decreased bone strength and who experience an injury. Thus, the pathophysiology of fractures encompasses a multitude of factors that determine bone strength (bone mass, bone quality, age, skeletal geometry) and the frequency, nature, and effects of injuries (Figure 4.1).
What part of the femur is most commonly fractured?
Femoral head fractures are extremely rare and are usually the result of a high-velocity event. The areas of the femur (thighbone). Most hip fractures occur in the femoral neck or intertrochanteric area.
What are the complications of femur fracture?
Complications and injuries associated with midshaft femur fractures in the adult can be life-threatening and may include hemorrhage, internal organ injury, wound infection, fat embolism, and adult respiratory distress syndrome [2,6].
What are the typical features of non-accidental injuries?
Certain patterns of injury are suggestive of NAI: Bruising in a non-mobile child. Bruising over soft tissues, multiple bruises, clusters of bruises, bruises in the shape of a hand or implement or instrument. Burns in particular shapes eg cigarette burns, burns suggestive of forced immersion.
Which is a typical site of non-accidental injury?
Spotting the Signs of a Non-Accidental Injury Common areas include the knees, elbows, shins and forehead. These locations tend to break a child’s fall when they are involved in a collision or trip, indicating that the trauma was unintentional. However, these marks can also appear in other locations.
Where do non accidental injuries typically occur?
How is non accidental trauma diagnosed?
A thorough examination of the skin, a neurologic exam, and an examination of the abdomen are important steps. Retinal hemorrhages, spiral fractures or femur fractures in a child who is not yet ambulatory, and unexplained visceral injuries all raise suspicion for non-accidental injury.
What is the pathophysiology for a healing fracture?
Fracture healing begins with an injury‐induced hematoma and inflammation, which promotes the condensation of mesenchymal cells from the periosteum, endosteum, and bone marrow and their subsequent differentiation along chondrocyte and osteoblast lineages (Fig. 2).