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Review
. 2017 Jan-Mar;8(1):1-10.
doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2016.07.006. Epub 2016 Oct 25.

Musculoskeletal colloquialisms based on weapons

Anuj Agrawal  1
Affiliations
Review

Musculoskeletal colloquialisms based on weapons

Anuj Agrawal. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2017 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Eponyms and colloquialisms are commonly used in orthopaedic literature and convey a great deal of information in a concise fashion. Several orthopaedic conditions have characteristic clinical or radiologic appearances, mimicking the appearance of certain arms or weapons. Most of these are easy to memorise and recognise, provided the orthopaedic surgeon is aware of the colloquialism and familiar with the appearance of the weapon on which it is based. Unfortunately, many such colloquialisms are based on traditional weapons no longer in current use, and their appearances are not familiar to most orthopaedists, creating confusion and difficulty in understanding them. In this paper, we have reviewed the musculoskeletal colloquialisms based on weapons, including a brief description of the weapon with illustrations, highlighting the importance of the colloquialism in diagnosis or treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.

Keywords: Arms and weapons in orthopaedics; Firearm-based colloquialisms; Musculoskeletal colloquialisms; Weapon-based colloquialisms.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Different parts of a gun, with associated musculoskeletal colloquialisms.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(A) Gun barrel sign. (B) ‘Double-barrel’ vascularised fibular graft. (C) Trigger finger.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(A) Gunstock deformity of upper limb. (B) Pistol-grip drill. (C) Pistol-grip deformity of femur.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
(A) Common types of bullets. (B) Bullet-shaped vertebra. (C) Bullet-shaped metacarpals and phalanges.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
(A) Anterior bowing of ulna in Monteggia fracture-dislocation. (B) Bow legs. (C) Longitudinal ‘bow arch’ of foot. (D) Bowstringing of flexor tendon of index finger. (E) Bowstring test.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Cannonball metastases.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
(A) Dagger, a type of knife. (B) Dagger sign.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
(A) A bayonet attached underneath the muzzle of a gun. (B) Bayonet reduction of a distal radius fracture. (C) Bayonet deformity. (D) Bayonet sign.
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
(A) Poseidon's trident. (B) ‘Trishoola’, a type of trident. (C) Trident hand. (D) Appearance of a trident hand on prenatal ultrasound. (E) Trident acetabulum.
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
(A) Halberd, an axe-like weapon. (B) Halberd pelvis.
Fig. 11
Fig. 11
(A) Nightstick, a type of club used by policemen. (B) Nightstick fracture of ulna.
Fig. 12
Fig. 12
(A) Saber, a type of sword. (B) Saber shin.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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