2: Joint Disorders Of The Wrist Flashcards

1
Q

What is the commonest cause of nocturnal wrist pain

A

Carpal tunnel syndrome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is carpal tunnel syndrome

A

Compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel (under flexor retinaculum)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are 8 risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome

A
  • Obesity
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Repeated extension and flexion of the wrist
  • Previous distal radial fracture
  • Pregnancy (62%)
  • Diabetes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What type of symptoms will mild-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome present with

A

Only sensory symptoms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the sensory symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

A
  • Parasthesia of the thenar eminence, thumb, index, middle and medial-half of the ring finger
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What symptoms will moderate-severe carpal tunnel syndrome present with

A

Motor and sensory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the MOTOR symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

A

Reduced strength in pincer grip - often complain of dropping objects

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a very rare late sign of carpal tunnel syndrome

A

Wasting of the thenar eminence and reduced thumb opposition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is hand of benediction and when is it seen

A

Inability to flex the thumb, index and middle finger. It is seen in injury of the median nerve higher up (NOT in carpal tunnel syndrome)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is hand of benediction also referred to as

A

Pope’s blessing sign

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What type of injury may cause hand of benediction

A

Supracondylar humeral fracture

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

When is an ulna claw seen

A

When patient tries to extend all their fingers (un-make a fist)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

When is pope blessing sign seen

A

When patient tries to flex their fingers and make a fist

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are two signs seen in carpal tunnel syndrome

A

Tinel’s sign

Phalen’s sign

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the carpal tunnel

A

Flexor retinaculum and associated carpal bones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What does the carpal tunnel contain

A

Flexor tendons and medial.N

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Explain the pathophysiology of carpal tunnel syndrome

A

Any condition increasing pressure in the carpal tunnel can cause compression which impairs blood flow to the median nerve leading to an inflammatory reaction, oedema, hypoxia and degeneration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is main investigation of carpal tunnel syndrome

A

Electromyography (EMG)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What 5 other investigations may be performed in carpal tunnel syndrome and why

A
  1. TFTs - increased risk in hypothyroidism
  2. Pregnancy test
  3. Fasting blood glucose - diabetes
  4. X-ray - OA
  5. anti-CCP - RA
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How is mild-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome managed

A

Conservatively:

  • Night splint
  • Rest
  • Analgesia
  • Corticosteroid injections
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

How is moderate-severe carpal tunnel syndrome treated

A

Open or endoscopic release of transverse carpal ligament

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is a wrist ganglion

A
  • Non-cancerous soft tissue swelling along joint capsule or tendon sheath.
  • Benign lumps that arise from degeneration of joint capsule or tendon sheath and subsequently become filled with fluid
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

In which gender are wrist ganglions more common

A

Female

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What age is peak incidence of wrist ganglions

A

20-40y

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What are 3 RF’s for wrist ganglions

A
  • OA
  • Previous injury to the joint or tendon
  • Female
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Why does OA increase risk of ganglions

A

Increases synovial fluid production which can then leak from the joint capsule or tendon sheath

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What is the most common site for wrist ganglions to occur

A

dorsum of the wrist

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What % of ganglions occur at the dorsum of the wrist

A

60-70%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

How do ganglions present clinically

A
  • Painless, smooth spherical mass
  • Can appear suddenly or gradually
  • May appear and then subside
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

On examination, how may wrist ganglions appear

A
  • Transillumable

- Mobile

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What may ganglions cause if placing pressure on nerves

A

Parasthesia or motor weakness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Give 3 differentials for wrist ganglions

A
  • Lipoma
  • Sarcoma
  • Tenosynovitis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

How is tenosynovitis differentiated from a wrist ganglion

A

Swelling along the entirety of the tendon sheath

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

How is giant cell tumour differentiated from wrist ganglion

A
  • Not transillumable
  • Solid mass
  • Less mobile
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

How is a lipoma differentiated from a wrist ganglion

A
  • Not spherical or smooth

- Not transillumable

36
Q

How is a wrist ganglion diagnosed

A

Clinically

37
Q

Why may an x-ray be ordered for a wrist ganglion

A

To exclude osteoarthritis of the scaphotrapezotrapezoid joint or sarcoma

38
Q

Why may an US or MRI be ordered

A

To assess depth, size and shape of the ganglion

39
Q

What is the management of a non-painful non-limiting wrist ganglion

A

Active monitoring

40
Q

If a wrist ganglion is painful or limits movement what may be done

A

Aspiration

41
Q

What is the problem with aspirating a ganglion

A
  • Infection risk

- Often recurrs

42
Q

What other intervention may be offered for a painful, limiting wrist ganglion

A

Cyst excision

43
Q

What are the indications for cyst excision

A

Recurrence following aspiration and still symptomatic

44
Q

What is DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis

A

thickening of the abductor polices Longus (APL) and extensor polices brevis (EPB) tendon due to myxoid degeneration

45
Q

What tendons are thickened in DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis

A
  • Extensor polices brevis (EPB)

- Abductor polices longus (APL)

46
Q

Which gender is DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis more common

A

Females

47
Q

Which age group is DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis more common

A

30-50y

48
Q

What causes DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis

A
  • Repetitive abduction and extension of the thumb

- Rheumatoid arthritis

49
Q

How will DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis present

A
  • Pain over radial aspect of the wrist. Exacerbated by gripping objects
  • Swelling at the dorsum of the thumb
50
Q

What is a stereotypical presentation of DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis

A

Pregnant women develops pain and welling over the thumb

51
Q

What sign is positive in DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis

A

Finklesteins sign

52
Q

What is finklestein sign

A

Pain on gripping the thumb to the palm of the same hand with passive ulna deviation

53
Q

Describe the pathophysiology of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis

A

There is thickening of the first extensor compartment which contains the APL and EPB tendons

54
Q

How is DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis diagnosed

A

Clinically

55
Q

How is DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis managed

A
  1. Conservatively. With analgesia (NSAIDs), thumb splinting (SICA) and corticosteroid injections
  2. Surgical release - if pregnant
56
Q

What is dupuytrens contracture

A

painless thickening of the palmar fascia

57
Q

In which gender is dupuytren’s contracture more prevalent

A

males

58
Q

What % of dupuytrens contracture occurs in male’s

A

80%

59
Q

In which ethnic origin is dupuytrens contracture more common

A

scandinavian

60
Q

What is the pathophysiology of risk factors for dupuytren’s contracture

A

all risk factors cause ischemia of the palmar fascia increasing the risk of injury and thickening

61
Q

What are 5 risk factors for dupuytren’s contracture

A
  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • Recurrent trauma (occupation)
62
Q

Why is dupuytren’s contracture looked for in an abdominal examination

A

As it can indicate liver cirrhosis

63
Q

Which fingers are most commonly affected in dupuytren’s contracture

A

4th and 5th fingers

64
Q

What is the earliest sign of dupuytrens contracture

A

Skin puckering by the flexure crease

65
Q

What are 3 other signs of dupuytren’s contracture

A
  1. Palmar nodules
  2. Palmar cords
  3. Flexion contracture
66
Q

What are palmar nodules

A

Formation of nodules adjacent to the distal palmar crease

67
Q

What are planar cords

A

Formation of cords adjacent to the nodules

68
Q

What is a flexure contracture

A

Contracture at MCPs and PIPS

69
Q

What is the problem with dupuytren’s contracture

A

Can interfere with function

70
Q

Explain the pathophysiology of dupuytren’s contracture

A
  • Injury to the palmar fascia triggers myofibroblast proliferation causing thickening and formation of nodules
  • Nodules adhere to overlying dermis causing puckering
  • Nodules progress to cords which form flexion contractures
71
Q

How can dupuytren’s contracture be diagnosed

A

Clinically

72
Q

What is first-line management of dupuytrens contracture

A

Conservative

  • Physiotherapy
  • Splinting
  • Corticosteroid injections
73
Q

When is surgery indicated for dupuytrens contracture

A

Functional disability secondary to contracture

74
Q

What does surgery for dupuytren’s contracture entail

A

Manipulation under anaesthesia

75
Q

What is another term from trigger finger

A

Stenosing tenosynovitis

76
Q

What is trigger finger

A

Swelling and thickening of the flexor finger tendons with associated stenosis of the A1 pulley

77
Q

In which gender is trigger finger more prevalent

A

Females (6:1)

78
Q

What is the peak incidence of trigger finger

A

> 40y

79
Q

What are two risk factors for stenosing tenosynovitis

A

Diabetes

Rheumatoid arthritis

80
Q

What is the clinical presentation of trigger finger

A
  • Painful locking of the finger in a flexed position. On extension it will suddenly release to give a ‘popping’ sensation
  • Finger is commonly found flexed over the palm and needs physically straightening
81
Q

Which fingers are most commonly affected in stenosing tenosynovitis

A

Thumb
Middle
Ring

82
Q

How may trigger finger be identified on examination

A

Palpable nodules over MCP

83
Q

Explain the pathophysiology of trigger finger

A
  • Swelling of tendon sheath proximal to A1 pulley prevents tendon gliding and ‘catches’ it to cause locking in flexion
  • As extension occurs, the nodule moves with the flexor tendon but becomes jammed on the pulley and has to be flicked straight causing ‘triggering’
84
Q

What is the 1st line management of trigger finger

A

Conservative:

  • Splinting
  • NSAID
85
Q

What is second-line management of trigger finger

A

Surgical release of A1 pulley

86
Q

what structure is most likely damaged in scaphoid fracture

A

dorsal carpal arch of the radial artery