17- Trouma & ER Explains 2 Flashcards
What are the types of dislocations around the shoulder joint?
Glenohumeral dislocation, acromioclavicular joint disruption, and sternoclavicular dislocation (only glenohumeral dislocation will be covered here)
What is the initial management required for shoulder dislocation?
Emergent reduction to prevent lasting chondral damage
What imaging modalities are used to confirm the direction of dislocation in shoulder dislocation?
True anteroposterior (AP), axillary lateral, and/or scapula Y view
What should be assessed during the early assessment and management of shoulder dislocation?
Careful history, examination, and documentation of neurovascular status of the limb, particularly the axillary nerve; this should be reassessed post-manipulation
What is the recommended technique for emergent closed reduction of shoulder dislocation?
Gentle traction to adducted arm under entonox and analgesia, often requiring conscious sedation
What should be done after successful reduction of shoulder dislocation?
The arm should be immobilized in a polysling, and X-rays should be taken to confirm relocation
What are the features and causes of anterior shoulder dislocation?
Usually traumatic with an anterior force on the arm when the shoulder is abducted and externally rotated; loss of shoulder contour (sulcus sign), and the humeral head can be felt anteriorly
What are the features and causes of posterior shoulder dislocation?
50% missed in A&E; 50% traumatic, but classically associated with seizures or electrocution; the shoulder is locked in internal rotation, and X-rays may show a lightbulb appearance
What are the features and causes of inferior shoulder dislocation?
Rare; associated with pectoralis and rotator cuff tears, and glenoid fracture; similar to the management of the primary injury
What are the features and causes of superior shoulder dislocation?
Rare; associated with acromion/clavicle fracture; similar to the management of the primary injury
What is rotator cuff disease?
A spectrum of conditions ranging from subacromial impingement to rotator cuff tears and eventually to rotator cuff arthropathy (arthritis)
What are some associated injuries seen with shoulder dislocation?
Bankart lesion (avulsion of the anterior glenoid labrum), Hill Sachs defect (chondral impaction on posteriosuperior humeral head), rotator cuff tear, greater or lesser tuberosity fracture, and humeral neck fracture (should be discussed with orthopaedics prior to any attempted reduction)
What is the function of the rotator cuff muscles?
Important in shoulder movements and maintenance of glenohumeral stability
What are the four muscles of the rotator cuff?
Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor, and Subscapularis
Which muscle is responsible for the external rotation of the humerus?
Infraspinatus and Teres Minor
Which muscle is involved in the internal rotation of the humerus?
Subscapularis
Which nerves innervate the rotator cuff muscles?
Suprascapular nerve (Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus), Axillary nerve (Teres Minor), Upper and Lower Subscapular nerves (Subscapularis)
What happens when there is an injury or tear in the inferior rotator cuff muscles?
Upward migration of the humeral head on the glenoid can be seen on an AP radiograph
How do the anterior muscles (subscapularis) and posterior muscles (infraspinatus, teres minor) of the rotator cuff balance each other?
The anterior muscles are balanced with the posterior muscles to maintain shoulder stability
What is subacromial impingement?
The most common cause of shoulder pain resulting from impingement of the superior cuff on the undersurface of the acromion, along with inflammatory bursitis
What is the presentation of subacromial impingement?
Insidious pain exacerbated by overhead activities
Which type of acromial morphology is associated with subacromial impingement?
Certain types of acromial morphology (Bigliani classification)
What is a rotator cuff tear?
Often presents as an acute event on the background of chronic subacromial impingement in older patients, and as an avulsion injury in younger patients
Which part of the rotator cuff is commonly affected by tears?
The majority of tears occur in the superior cuff (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor), although a tear to subscapularis is associated with subcoracoid impingement
What are the symptoms of a rotator cuff tear?
Pain and weakness when using the affected muscles
What is rotator cuff arthropathy?
Shoulder arthritis that occurs in the setting of rotator cuff dysfunction, resulting from superior migration due to the loss of rotator cuff function and integrity
What are the imaging modalities used for diagnosing rotator cuff pathology?
Plain radiographs (AP view and outlet view), ultrasound (USS), and MRI (combined with arthrogram for intra-articular pathology)
What are the treatment options for subacromial impingement?
Physiotherapy, oral anti-inflammatory medication, and subacromial steroid injection; arthroscopic subacromial decompression may be necessary
What are the management options for rotator cuff tears?
Conservative management for mild tears or tears in the elderly, arthroscopic repair for moderate tears, and open repair with tendon transfer for massive or retracted tears; subacromial decompression is often performed simultaneously
What factors should be considered when planning the surgical repair of a rotator cuff tear?
The age and activity of the patient, the nature, size, and retraction of the tear
What is calcific tendonitis?
It involves calcific deposits within tendons, most commonly in the rotator cuff (specifically the supraspinatus tendon)
Who is more commonly affected by calcific tendonitis?
Women aged 30-60 years
What are the associations of calcific tendonitis?
Diabetes and hypothyroidism
What are the three stages of calcification in calcific tendonitis?
Formative phase, resting phase, and resorptive phase
Which stage of calcific tendonitis is the most painful?
Resorptive phase
How does calcific tendonitis present?
Similar to subacromial impingement, with pain, especially with overhead activities, and it is atraumatic in nature
What does plain radiographs show in calcific tendonitis?
Calcification of the rotator cuff, usually within 1.5cm of its insertion on the humerus
What is the initial treatment for calcific tendonitis?
Non-operative management including NSAIDs, physiotherapy, and potentially steroid injections
How many cases of calcific tendonitis resolve with conservative management within 6 months?
Approximately 75%
What are the options for breaking down deposits and resolving symptoms in calcific tendonitis?
Ultrasound-guided or surgical needle barbotage, and occasionally surgical excision may be required
What is adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)?
It is a condition characterized by pain and loss of movement in the shoulder joint, caused by fibroplastic proliferation of capsular tissue, leading to soft tissue scarring and contracture
What are the symptoms of adhesive capsulitis?
Patients present with a painful and decreased arc of motion in the shoulder
What are the factors associated with adhesive capsulitis?
Prolonged immobilization, previous surgery, thyroid disorders (AI), and diabetes
What are the three stages of adhesive capsulitis?
Stage one: the freezing and painful stage; Stage two: the frozen and stiff stage; Stage three: the thawing stage, where shoulder movement slowly improves
What imaging is used for adhesive capsulitis?
Plain radiographs to exclude other causes and MRI arthrogram to show capsular contracture and exclude cuff pathology, although it is often not performed as the diagnosis is mainly clinical
What are the treatment options for adhesive capsulitis?
Non-operative management including NSAIDs, steroid injections, and physiotherapy; operative options include manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) or arthroscopic adhesiolysis (release of adhesions) followed by intensive physiotherapy
What are the possible causes of glenohumeral arthritis?
It can be caused by osteoarthritis (primary or secondary to cuff tear or trauma), rheumatoid arthritis, or as part of a spondyloarthropathy
Who is more commonly affected by glenohumeral arthritis?
The elderly
How does glenohumeral arthritis present?
Similar to other types of arthritis, with pain at night and with movement
What imaging modalities are useful for diagnosing and classifying glenohumeral arthritis?
AP and axillary radiographs show features of arthritis, while CT/MRI can help classify the shape of the glenoid and assess extent of bone loss when considering arthroplasty; MRI is also essential to assess the integrity of the rotator cuff if shoulder replacement is being considered
What are the initial treatment options for glenohumeral arthritis?
Non-operative measures including NSAIDs, management of rheumatoid arthritis if present, physiotherapy, and steroid injection
What is the mechanism of injury for thoracic aorta rupture?
Decelerating force, such as a road traffic accident or fall from a great height
What is the prognosis for most people with thoracic aorta rupture?
Most people die at the scene of the injury
What may survivors of thoracic aorta rupture have?
Survivors may have an incomplete laceration at the ligamentum arteriosum of the aorta
What are the clinical features of thoracic aorta rupture?
Persistent hypotension due to a contained hematoma; detected mainly by history and changes seen on chest X-ray
What changes can be seen on chest X-ray in thoracic aorta rupture?
Widened mediastinum, trachea/esophagus shifted to the right, depression of the left main stem bronchus, widened paratracheal stripe/paraspinal interfaces, obliteration of space between the aorta and pulmonary artery, and presence of rib fractures or left hemothorax