Musculoskeletal

Nursingbulletin: Musculoskeletal System

Anatomy and Physiology ●

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The musculo-skeletal system consists of the muscles, tendons, bones and cartilage together swith the joints The primary function of which is to produce skeletal movements

Muscles Three types of muscles exist in the body ● 1. Skeletal Muscles – ●

2. Cardiac muscles –

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Voluntary and striated Involuntary and striated

3. Smooth/Visceral muscles –

Involuntary and NON-striated

TENDONS ●

Bands of fibrous connective tissue that tie bones to muscles

LIGAMENTS ●

Strong, dense and flexible bands of fibrous tissue connecting bones to another bone

BONES Variously classified according to shape, location and size ● Functions 1. Locomotion 2. Protection 3. Support and lever 4. Blood production 5. Mineral deposition ●

JOINTS ●

The part of the Skeleton where two or more bones are connected

CARTILAGES ●

A dense connective tissue that consists of fibers embedded in a strong gel-like substance

BURSAE ●

Sac containing fluid that are located around the joints to prevent friction

ASSESMENT OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM ●

The nurse usually evaluates this small part of the over-all assessment and concentrates on the patient’s posture, body symmetry, gait and muscle and joint function

ASSESMENT OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM ● ●

1. HISTORY 2. Physical Examination – – –

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Perform a head to toe assessment Nurses need to inspect and palpate The special procedure is the assessment of joint and muscle movement Usually, a tape measure and a protractor are the only instruments

ASSESSMENT OF THE MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM ● ● ● ● ● ●

Gait Posture Muscular palpation Joint palpation Range of motion Muscle strength

ASSESMENT OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM LABORATORY PROCEDURES ● 1. BONE MARROW ASPIRATION –

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Usually involves aspiration of the marrow to diagnose diseases like leukemia, aplastic anemia Usual site is the sternum and iliac crest Pre-test: Consent Intratest: Needle puncture may be painful Post-test: maintain pressure dressing and watch out for bleeding

ASSESMENT OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM LABORATORY PROCEDURES ● 2. Arthroscopy – A direct visualization of the joint cavity – Pre-test: consent, explanation of procedure, NPO – Intra-test: Sedative, Anesthesia, incision will be made – Post-test: maintain dressing, ambulation as soon as awake, mild soreness of joint for 2 days, joint rest for a few days, ice application to relieve discomfort

ASSESMENT OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM LABORATORY PROCEDURES 3. BONE SCAN ● Imaging study with the use of a contrast radioactive material ● Pre-test: Painless procedure, IV radioisotope is used, no special preparation, pregnancy is contraindicated ● Intra-test: IV injection, Waiting period of 2 hours before X-ray, Fluids allowed, Supine position for scanning ● Post-test: Increase fluid intake to flush out radioactive material

ASSESMENT OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM LABORATORY PROCEDURES 4. DEXA- Dual-energy XRAY absorptiometry ● Assesses bone density to diagnose osteoporosis ● Uses LOW dose radiation to measure bone density ● Painless procedure, non-invasive, no special preparation ● Advise to remove jewelry

Nursing Management of common musculoskeletal problems PAIN ● These can be related to joint inflammation, traction, surgical intervention ● 1. Assess patient’s perception of pain ● 2. Instruct patient alternative pain management like meditation, heat and cold application, TENS and guided imagery ● 3. Administer analgesics as prescribed – Usually NSAIDS – Meperidine can be given for severe pain ●

4. Assess the effectiveness of pain measures

Nursing Management IMPAIRED PHYSICAL MOBILITY ● 1. Instruct patient to perform range of motion exercises, either passive or active ● 2. Provide support in ambulation with assistive devices ● 3. Turn and change position every 2 hours ● 4. Encourage mobility for a short period and provide positive reinforcements for small accomplishments

Nursing Management SELF-CARE DEFICITS ●

1. Assess functional levels of the patient

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2. Provide support for feeding problems

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Place patient in Fowler’s position

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Provide assistive device and supervise mealtime

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Offer finger foods that can be handled by patient

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Keep suction equipment ready

3. Assist patient with difficulty bathing and hygiene –

Assist with bath only when patient has difficulty

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Provide ample time for patient to finish activity

Musculoskeletal Modalities

Traction ● Cast ●

Nursing Management Traction ● A method of fracture immobilization by applying equipments to align bone fragments ● Used for immobilization, bone alignment and relief of muscle spasm

Traction ●

Skin traction- Buck, Bryant

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Skeletal traction

Traction ●

Balanced Suspension traction

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Running/Straight traction

Traction ●

Pulling force exerted on bones to reduce or immobilize fractures, reduce muscle spasm, correct or prevent deformities

Traction ● ●

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TO decrease muscle spasms TO reduce, align and immobilize fractures To correct deformities

Nursing Management Traction: General principles ● 1. ALWAYS ensure that the weights hang freely and do not touch the floor ● 2. NEVER remove the weights ● 3. Maintain proper body alignment ● 4. Ensure that the pulleys and ropes are properly functioning and fastened by tying square knot

Nursing Management Traction: General principles ● 5. Observe and prevent foot drop – ●

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Provide foot plate

6. Observe for DVT, skin irritation and breakdown 7. Provide pin care for clients in skeletal traction- use of hydrogen peroxide

Nursing Management Traction: General principles 8. Promote skin integrity – – –

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Use special mattress if possible Provide frequent skin care Assess pin entrance and cleanse the pin with hydrogen peroxide solution Turn and reposition within the limits of traction Use the trapeze

Nursing Management CAST ● Immobilizing tool made of plaster of Paris or fiberglass ● Provides immobilization of the fracture

Nursing Management CAST: types ➢ Long arm ➢ Short arm ➢ Short leg ➢ Long leg ➢ Spica ➢ Body cast

Casting Materials ●

Plaster of Paris – –

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Drying takes 1-3 days If dry, it is SHINY, WHITE, hard and resistant

Fiberglass – –

Lightweight and dries in 20-30 minutes Water resistant

Cast application 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

TO immobilize a body part in a specific position TO exert uniform compression to the tissue TO provide early mobilization of UNAFFECTED body part TO correct deformities TO stabilize and support unstable joints

Nursing Management CAST: General Nursing Care ● 1. Allow the cast to air dry (usually 2472 hours) ● 2. Handle a wet cast with the PALMS not the fingertips\ ● 3. Keep the casted extremity ELEVATED using a pillow ● 4. Turn the extremity for equal drying. DO NOT USE DRYER for plaster cast – Encourage mobility and range of motion exercises

Nursing Management CAST: General Nursing Care ●

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5. Petal the edges of the cast to prevent crumbling of the edges 6. Examine the skin for pressure areas and Regularly check the pulses and skin

Nursing Management CAST: General Nursing Care ● 7. Instruct the patient not to place sticks or small objects inside the cast ● 8. Monitor for the following: pain, swelling, discoloration, coolness, tingling or lack of sensation and diminished pulses

Nursing Management CAST: General Nursing Care ● Hot spots occurring along the cast may indicate infection under the cast

Thank you! :)