The 2013 ICM criteria for defining Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) can be remembered using the mnemonic below: Mnemonic: 1 tract or 2 bact. and 3 of ABCDEF 1 sinus tract communication with the joint OR 2 positive periprosthetic cultures with phenotypically identical bacteria AND 3 of the following six minor…
Category: PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS
Medical knowledge in bullet points with understandable language, simplified images and graspable mnemonics.
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Postoperative fever – Rule of W (Mnemonic)
Postoperative fever is defined as a temperature >100°F (38°C) on 2 consecutive postoperative days, or >102.2°F (39°C) on any 1 postoperative day. The most common cause of fever within the first 48 hours is a pyretic response to surgery, which is self-limiting. Textbooks have long listed the common causes of…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Pathophysiology of Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is defined as an inflammation of the bone (single portion or numerous regions, like marrow, cortex, periosteum and surrounding soft tissue) caused by an infecting organism (usually monomicrobial but polymicrobial can occur, especially in diabetic foot). Definitions, Criteria and Classifications of different types of Osteomyelitis have been discussed in…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Wound – It’s types
A wound is typically described as a break in the surface tissue (such as skin or mucous membrane) or any tissue under the surface. It may involve the superficial planes alone or the deep planes and deep tissue of the body alone or both. Superficial Tissue include: Skin, Superficial Fascia,…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Wound Healing : Stages
1. Haemostasis (immediate): In response to exposed collagen, platelets aggregate at the wound and degranulate, releasing inflammatory mediators. Clotting and complement cascades activated. Thrombus formation and reactive vasospasm achieve haemostasis. 2. Inflammation (0-3 days): Vasodilatation and increased capillary permeability allow inflammatory cells to enter wound, and cause swelling. Neutrophils amplify inflammatory response by release…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
ESR and CRP in Musculoskeletal infection
ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) Usually elevated within 48-72 hours of the infection onset (less reliable in the first 48 hours of infection) Continues to rise for 3-5 days after institution of successful therapy and continuing rise beyond 4th-5th day of treatment can be an indication of treatment failure (not good…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Casting technique related Radiographic indices
Cast index Formula: Inner diameter of cast on lateral view (m) / Inner diameter of cast on AP view (n) Cut-off: 0.7-0.8 Padding index Formula: Dorsal fracture site gap (h) / Maximum interosseous length in AP view (g) Cut-off: 0.3 Cantebury index Formula: Cast index (m/n) + Padding index (h/g)…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Patient Decision Making Capacities – CURVES mnemonic
a. Choose and communicate Can the patient make a choice and communicate that choice? b. Understand Does the patient understand the risks, benefits, alternatives and consequences of the decision? c. Reason Can the patient provide logic or reason behind his/her decision? d. Value Is the choice the patient makes consistent…