2: Joint Disorders Of The Wrist Flashcards
What is the commonest cause of nocturnal wrist pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
What is carpal tunnel syndrome
Compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel (under flexor retinaculum)
What are 8 risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome
- Obesity
- Hypothyroidism
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Repeated extension and flexion of the wrist
- Previous distal radial fracture
- Pregnancy (62%)
- Diabetes
What type of symptoms will mild-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome present with
Only sensory symptoms
What are the sensory symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
- Parasthesia of the thenar eminence, thumb, index, middle and medial-half of the ring finger
What symptoms will moderate-severe carpal tunnel syndrome present with
Motor and sensory
What are the MOTOR symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
Reduced strength in pincer grip - often complain of dropping objects
What is a very rare late sign of carpal tunnel syndrome
Wasting of the thenar eminence and reduced thumb opposition
What is hand of benediction and when is it seen
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)
What is hand of benediction also referred to as
Pope’s blessing sign
What type of injury may cause hand of benediction
Supracondylar humeral fracture
When is an ulna claw seen
When patient tries to extend all their fingers (un-make a fist)
When is pope blessing sign seen
When patient tries to flex their fingers and make a fist
What are two signs seen in carpal tunnel syndrome
Tinel’s sign
Phalen’s sign
What is the carpal tunnel
Flexor retinaculum and associated carpal bones
What does the carpal tunnel contain
Flexor tendons and medial.N
Explain the pathophysiology of carpal tunnel syndrome
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
What is main investigation of carpal tunnel syndrome
Electromyography (EMG)
What 5 other investigations may be performed in carpal tunnel syndrome and why
- TFTs - increased risk in hypothyroidism
- Pregnancy test
- Fasting blood glucose - diabetes
- X-ray - OA
- anti-CCP - RA
How is mild-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome managed
Conservatively:
- Night splint
- Rest
- Analgesia
- Corticosteroid injections
How is moderate-severe carpal tunnel syndrome treated
Open or endoscopic release of transverse carpal ligament
What is a wrist ganglion
- 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
In which gender are wrist ganglions more common
Female
What age is peak incidence of wrist ganglions
20-40y
What are 3 RF’s for wrist ganglions
- OA
- Previous injury to the joint or tendon
- Female
Why does OA increase risk of ganglions
Increases synovial fluid production which can then leak from the joint capsule or tendon sheath
What is the most common site for wrist ganglions to occur
dorsum of the wrist
What % of ganglions occur at the dorsum of the wrist
60-70%
How do ganglions present clinically
- Painless, smooth spherical mass
- Can appear suddenly or gradually
- May appear and then subside
On examination, how may wrist ganglions appear
- Transillumable
- Mobile
What may ganglions cause if placing pressure on nerves
Parasthesia or motor weakness
Give 3 differentials for wrist ganglions
- Lipoma
- Sarcoma
- Tenosynovitis
How is tenosynovitis differentiated from a wrist ganglion
Swelling along the entirety of the tendon sheath
How is giant cell tumour differentiated from wrist ganglion
- Not transillumable
- Solid mass
- Less mobile