SurgeNote

Mnemonics “Otosclerosis = Both ears blocked” → Think bilateral gradual hearing loss in young adults, often women > men, with normal tympanic membrane.

Mnemonic / Tip: “Ponseti pushes, casts, and fixes” → Ponseti method = serial manipulation + casting, usually starting soon after birth.

Mnemonic: “Brittle bones in OI” → Osteogenesis imperfecta causes fragile bones, blue sclera, frequent fractures.

Mnemonic: “Little Palm Plant” → Dupuytren’s contracture affects the little finger, palmar fascia, and sometimes plantar fascia.

Mnemonic: “Psoriasis Pokes the Distal joints” → Psoriatic arthritis affects DIP joints.

Mnemonic to remember: “Sciatic Gets Stuck in the Socket” → The sciatic nerve is most at risk in acetabular (hip socket) fractures because it runs just posterior to the acetabulum.

Mnemonic: “Supracondylar Fix = Pin It!” Percutaneous pinning stabilizes the fracture with minimal invasion, preventing malunion or neurovascular compromise.

12. An 18-year-old football player is injured during a football game. He is unable to stand up. The physical exam reveals a positive posterior drawer test. X-rays reveal a significant amount of soft tissue swelling but no bone fracture.

Mnemonic: “CUMA” → C = Claw U = Ulnar M = Median A = Ape hand (median alone) This helps differentiate: Claw hand → Ulnar + Median Ape hand → Median alone Wrist drop → Radial