Orthopaedic X-rays - Hoffman Flashcards
What is the difference between radiopaque and radiolucent?
Radiopaque – relative impenetrability to X-rays
Radiolucent – relative penetrability to X-rays
What is the metaphysis and diaphysis?
Metaphysis is the end of a long bone
Diaphysis is the shaft of the bone
What is the epiphysis and epiphyseal plate?
Epiphyseal plate = the growth plate
Epiphysis = area of the bone on the outer edge adjacent to the epiphyseal plate
What is a fracture?
Definition – a complete disruption in the continuity of a bone
A radiolucent line on X-ray
What are the indirect signs of a fracture?
Soft-tissue swelling Obliteration or displacement of fat stripes Periosteal and endosteal reaction Buckling of the cortex Double cortical line
What is the difference between displacement fracture and angulation fracture?
displacement moves away from the midline
Angulation means the 2 pieces of bone are now at an angle toward each other rather than parallel.
What does varis and valgus mean in reference to angulation?
valgus - fractured ends point toward midline
varis - fractured ends have angle pointing away from the midline
The radiographic diagnosis of arthritis is based on:
The morphology of an articular lesion
Its distribution in the skeleton
Signs of osteoarthritis?
Marginal osteophytes Cortical irregularity Subchondral sclerosis Subchondral cysts Joint space narrowing
