“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” -Joseph Campbell

 Support (skeletal system)  structural support/framework for the entire body  Storage  Minerals (calcium) and lipids.  Blood cell production.  site of formation for all types of blood cells.  Protection  vital organs of the body  ribs surround the visceral organs  central nervous system is encased within the skull and spinal cord.  Leverage  Many of the joints of the body act as levers therefore assisting with movement.  Provides a place for muscles, tendons, ligaments to attache

The skeleton is the rigid frame Flexible articulations form joints Muscles, tendons, and ligaments form a system of pulleys

Deformity of bone, swelling Lameness, swelling, hx of abuse

 Open (compound) – broken skin  Closed – intact skin  Simple (1 break): oblique, transverse, incomplete fractures  Comminuted –multiple pieces  Stable – ends opposed and fixed (ie. greenstick)  Unstable  Compression: vertebrae

Transverse fracture Oblique fracture

Comminuted fracture Greenstick fracture

Fissure fractures

Spiral Fractures

COMPRESSION FRACTURE SALTER-HARRIS FRACTURES OF THE EPIPHYSIS

In open fractures bone is exposed through the skin

SPLINTS It is critical that the splint support both the joint above and below the injury ! METASPLINT or SPOON SPLINT

ROBERT JONES BANDAGE

 Casts can be made for the entire body, as for spinal injuries, for any portion of the body, or for just the extremities.

IM (Steinmann) pins with cerclage wires

 Advantages of IM pins  Prevent bending forces  Disadvantages  Do not prevent rotation or compressive (axial) forces  Should be combined with other methods such as cerclage wire to prevent other forces

Bone plates and screws Pyop-D0

External fixators are pins that penetrate the skin and bones that are attached to fixed bars or acrylic using special clamps: Kirschner-Ehmer apparatus

 Restrict activity  Watch for drainage, swelling, heat  Metal (plate, pin) stronger than bone – refracture may occur  Follow up x-rays necessary  Metal should be removed after healing  Metal may cause cold sensitivity