2: Joint Disorders Of The Shoulder Flashcards
How may impingement syndrome present
pain on abduction of the shoulder
What is a sign of impingement syndrome
‘painful arc’: pain on abduction of the arm from 60-120’
Which is the most common rotator cuff to tear
supraspinatus
How will supraspinatus tear present
pain over the deltoid region particularly on over-head activities
How will adhesive capsulitis present
restricted range of movement in all directions
which movement is particularly worse in adhesive capsulitis
external rotation
how will glenohumeral OA present
pain on activity, waking pain at night
how will acromioclavicular OA present
pain on raising arms above the head
how will biceps tendinopathy present
anterior shoulder pain worse on bicep contraction
what is the most common cause of shoulder problems
rotator cuff injury
explain the ‘spectrum of rotator cuff injury’
- Impingement syndrome
- Calcific tendonitis
- Rotator cuff tear
- Rotator cuff arthropathy
how can rotator cuff tears be classified
Partial thickness or full thickness
what is a full-thickness tear
When the rotator cuff is separated from the humerus
what is a partial thickness tear
Tear within the rotator cuff, remains attached to the humerus
which rotator cuff is most commonly affected
Supraspinatus
what causes an acute rotator cuff tear
Violent stretching of tendons
what causes a chronic rotator cuff tear
‘Wear and tear’ of the rotator cuffs over time
explain the pathophysiology of chronic rotator cuff tears
On ageing, blood supply to the rotator cuff muscle decreases. This means they are less adapted to heal from injury leading to progressive damage.
in which population are chronic rotator cuff tears more common
Elderly.
what causes impingement
When there is a bony spur from the acromion than impinges the rotator cuff tendons during abduction
How will an acute rotator cuff tear present
- Acute + intense pain over the deltoid region.
- Night pain
- Pain is exacerbated by overhead movements
- Shoulder weakness (abduction and rotation)
How may a chronic rotator cuff tear present
Pain may be absent or only when lifting shoulder overhead
When should a rotator cuff injury be suspected in >50y
Pain or Loss Of Function, following low energy trauma
When should a rotator cuff injury be suspected in <50y
Pain following high-energy trauma
What test is used to identify supraspinatus damage
Jobe’s test
Explain Jobe’s test
Patient abducts arm to 70’ and internally rotates (thumb is downwards). Then tries to resist force pushing arm downwards.
If a patient exhibits pain on Jobe’s test what does it indicate
Supraspinatus tendonitis
If a patient exhibits weakness on Jobe’s test what does it indicate
Supraspinatus tear
How is infraspinatus pathology tested for
External rotation against resistance
What does pain on testing infraspinatus indicate
Infraspinatus tendonitis
What does weakness on testing infraspinatus indicate
Infraspinatus tear
How is teres minor tested for
External rotation against resistance
How is subscapularis tested for
Gerber’s lift off test
What does weakness in ‘Gerber lift off’ test indicate
Subscapularis tear
What are the 4 rotator cuff muscles
- Supraspinatus
- Infraspinatus
- Teres minor
- Subscapularis
What is the action of the supraspinatus muscle
It abducts the arm to 15’ before the deltoid takes over
Where does supraspinatus insert
greater tubercle of the humerus
What is the action of infraspinatus
external rotation
Where does infraspinatus insert
greater tubercle of the humerus
What is the action of teres minor
external rotation
adduction
Where does teres minor insert
greater tubercle of the humerus
What is the action of subscapularis
internal rotation
adduction
Where does subscapularis insert
lesser tubercle of the humerus
Which rotator cuff muscles is responsible for external rotation
- Infraspinatus
- Teres minor
Which rotator cuff muscles adduct the arm
- Subscapularis
Which rotator cuff muscle is responsible for internal rotation
subscapularis
Which rotator cuff muscle abducts the arm to 15’
supraspinatus
Which rotator cuff muscle inserts on the lesser tubercle of the humerus
teres minor
Which rotator cuff muscle inserts on the greater tubercle of the humerus
supraspinatus
infraspinatus
teres minor
What is the function of all the rotator cuffs together
provide dynamic stability to the shoulder
what investigations may be ordered in a suspected rotator cuff tear
- USS
- X-Ray
- MRI
how will a rotator cuff tear present on x-ray
- There may be migration of the humeral head superiorly due to unopposed action of the deltoid
- may be evidence of secondary arthritis (rotator cuff arthropathy)
what can USS show
whether a partial or full thickness tear
what is the best imaging modality used to identify rotator cuff tears
MRI
what is first-line management for rotator cuff tears
conservative
what is involved in conservative management of rotator cuff tears
- Physiotherapy
- NSAIDs
- Rest
what is second-line management for rotator cuff tears
Surgery