Understanding common fracture types 🦴

 Fractures are important—not just because they’re common, but because they reveal how bones respond to force, age, and physiology. One way to think about them is as patterns left behind by trauma: each shape tells you something about the mechanism, the anatomy involved, and what might go wrong next.

In this post, we’ll walk through common fracture types and explore how to reason through them. Not just what they look like, but why they happen, how they present, and what they mean for your patient.  

Osteoporosis: The Silent Thief of Bone 🦴

Hey students! 👋 Let’s take a deep dive into osteoporosis—a condition that’s far more than just “brittle bones.” In Australia, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over 50 will experience an osteoporotic fracture. 

But what’s really happening at the cellular level, and how do we tackle it? Let’s break it down (pun intended 😉).

Understanding, investigating and managing pericarditis

You’ll hear it described as “sharp chest pain,” “worse when lying flat,” or “relieved by sitting forward.” But what’s actually happening when someone has pericarditis—and how do we reason through it clinically?

Let’s explore the pathophysiology first, then walk through how to spot it, investigate it, and manage it.

🧠 Psychosis or delirium : a complex interplay

Acute physical illness doesn’t just affect the body - it can destabilize the mind. For patients with schizophrenia, dementia or other psychotic or neurodegenerative disorders, infections like pneumonia or urinary tract infections can trigger agitation, paranoia, or hallucinations. 

Understanding this interplay is essential for safe, compassionate care in hospital settings.

Lower Limb Anatomy in Motion: Structure Meets Function

 Every time you take a step, shift your weight, or rise from a chair, your body performs a complex, coordinated dance. The lower limb and pelvis aren’t just anatomical regions—they’re the foundation of mobility, balance, and independence. For older adults, even subtle disruptions in this system can lead to instability, falls, and fractures. Understanding how these structures work together—and what happens when they fail—is essential for building clinical reasoning from day one.

Let’s explore how bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues work together to keep you upright—and what happens when they don’t.

Falls in the Elderly: A Preventable Problem

Falls are a major cause of injury and loss of independence in older adults. In Australia, 1 in 3 people over 65 will experience a fall each year—and for many, it’s a life-changing event.

But here’s the good news: most falls are preventable. This post explores the why, how, and what you can do about it.

Hip Fractures: A Major Challenge in Ageing Populations 🦴

Let’s talk about hip fractures—a serious and often life-altering injury, especially for our elderly patients. In Australia, hip fractures are one of the leading causes of hospital admissions in people over 65. They’re not just painful—they’re a sentinel event, often marking a turning point in a patient’s independence, mobility, and overall health.

But what exactly is a “hip fracture”? And why does it carry such weight in clinical practice?

The Normal Physiology of Bone: Remodelling, Healing & Influencing Factors 🦴

Bone physiology might seem like a dry topic at first glance, but it’s anything but. It’s the key to understanding how fractures heal, why osteoporosis develops, and what goes wrong in metabolic bone diseases. For future clinicians, this knowledge isn’t just theoretical—it’s the basis for diagnosing, managing, and preventing some of the most common and impactful conditions you’ll encounter.

Let’s start with the basics: bones are living, dynamic tissues. They’re constantly being broken down and rebuilt in a process called remodelling. This isn’t just maintenance—it’s adaptation. Bones respond to mechanical stress, repair microscopic damage, and help regulate calcium levels in the blood. But how does this happen? And what affects the bone’s ability to heal after injury?

Structure and Function of CNS Motor and Sensory Tracts 🧠

 👋 Ready to dive into the highways of the nervous system? Buckle up, because today we’re exploring the Structure and Function of CNS Motor and Sensory Tracts! 💨

Your brain and spinal cord are like a highly-organized city, and these tracts are the express lanes that carry critical information to and from your body. Let’s break it down in detail:

Stroke: Risk Factors, Epidemiology 🧠

Let’s dive deeper into stroke — a major global health burden and one of the leading causes of death and disability. Its impact spans acute care, rehabilitation, and long-term health outcomes, making it a cornerstone topic in medical education and public health.

Understanding the epidemiology, risk factors, and pathophysiology of stroke is essential not only for diagnosis and treatment but also for effective prevention strategies. Stroke is not a single disease but a spectrum of vascular events with diverse presentations, underlying mechanisms, and prognoses.

Here’s a structured breakdown to guide your understanding:

• Stroke affects over 15 million people annually worldwide, with rising incidence in low- and middle-income countries.

• In Australia, stroke is a leading cause of adult disability, with over 400,000 people living with its effects.

• Ischaemic strokes account for ~85% of cases, while haemorrhagic strokes (intracerebral and subarachnoid) make up the remainder.

• Age is the strongest predictor: risk doubles with each decade after 55.

• Rural and remote populations often face delayed access to acute stroke care and rehabilitation services, contributing to worse outcomes.

Read on for risk factors and more !

Part 2: Brain Blood Supply – Clinical Correlations & Stroke Syndromes!

Now that you’ve explored the intricate anatomy of the brain’s blood supply — from the Circle of Willis to the branching cerebral arteries — it’s time to connect that knowledge to clinical practice. Understanding which regions are perfused by each artery allows you to localise neurological deficits with precision, especially in acute stroke presentations.

Each arterial territory corresponds to distinct functional areas of the brain, so when blood flow is disrupted, the resulting symptoms offer vital clues. Whether it’s a sudden onset of aphasia, hemianopia, or ataxia, recognising the vascular pattern behind these signs helps clinicians rapidly identify the affected region, initiate appropriate imaging, and guide timely intervention.

Let’s walk through the major cerebral arteries and examine how their territories shape the clinical picture in stroke and other vascular syndromes.

Clinical Presentation of Stroke: Pathophysiology & Key Differences 🧠💥

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide — a true medical emergency where every minute counts. Whether due to vascular occlusion or haemorrhage, the resulting neurological injury demands timely intervention and a solid understanding of underlying mechanisms. 

We'll explore the key concepts behind stroke presentation and mechanisms — from FAST signs to cellular cascades — to illuminate what’s happening beneath the surface. 🧠⚡

Part 1: Brain Blood Supply – The Anatomy Behind the Magic! 🧠

Today we’re exploring the vascular anatomy of the brain—because the brain may run the show, but without blood, it’s lights out! 💡 

Here’s some basics