Athletic hand, wrist, and elbow conditions

Question 1

What are the three joints of the elbow?

Answer 1

Ulnohumeral joint, radiohumeral joint, and proximal radioulnar joint.

Question 2

What is the joint capsule?

Answer 2

Ligaments around the elbow join to form a watertight sac called a joint capsule. This capsule surrounds the elbow tissue and contains lubricating fluid called synovial fluid.

Question 3

What are the ligaments of the elbow?

Answer 3

• Medial collateral ligament on the inside of elbow connecting ulna to humerus
• Lateral collateral ligament on the outside of elbow connecting radius to humerus
• Annular ligament forms a ring around the head of radius bone holding it tight against the ulna
• Quadrate ligament connects radius to ulna

Question 4

What are the tendons in the elbow and wrist?

Answer 4

Tendons travel down the elbow and forearm crossing over the wrist to insert onto the fingers, hand, and thumb.

-Biceps tendon attaches the bicep muscle to the front of the arm allowing up and down and rotational movement
-Triceps tendon attaches the triceps muscle on the back of the arm all the elbow to straighten
- Lateral epicondyle is bony prominence on the outside of elbow where the muscles that straighten the fingers and wrists combine into one tendon attached to humerus
- Medial epicondyle is bony prominence on the inside of elbow where the muscles that bend the fingers and wrists combine into one tendon attached to humerus

Question 5

What are the three main nerves of the arm?

Answer 5

Radial nerve, ulnar nerve, and median nerve. All three nerves begin at the shoulder and travel down the arm across the elbow.

Question 6

What are the main arteries of the arm?

Answer 6

• Brachial artery travels across the inside of the elbow at the bend and splits into two branches below the elbow
• Radial artery supplies the hand and wrist travelling across the front of the wrist near the thumb
• Ulnar artery supplies blood to the front of the hand, fingers, and thumb travelling next to the ulnar nerve through the wrist

Question 7

What is the main elbow flexor?

Answer 7

Brachialis originates from distal anterior humerus and inserts into the ulnar tuberosity. Provides pure flexion of the forearm at the elbow.

Question 7

What is the main elbow flexor?

Answer 7

Brachialis originates from distal anterior humerus and inserts into the ulnar tuberosity. Provides pure flexion of the forearm at the elbow.

Question 8

What are the bones in the hand?

Answer 8

There are 27 bones in the wrist, palm, and fingers. 8 carpal bones, 5 metacarpal bones, and 14 phalanges. These bones provide support, flexibility, and dexterity.

Question 9

What is a sprain?

Answer 9

A sprain is when the ligaments that hold joints together have been stretched and tear.

Finger sprains occur when the ligaments that connect the finger bones are hyperextended.

Question 10

What is a stiff wrist?

Answer 10

Loss of blood supply to the lunate (crescent shaped carpal bone) causes the bone to lose its structural support and it will collapse causing a painful stiff wrist.

Question 11

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Answer 11

Squeezing or irritating of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel space that causes swelling and inflammation. Commonly a combination of causes.

Question 12

What is a volar plate injury?

Answer 12

Commonly called a “jammed finger”, happens when a finger is hyperextended and the middle joint is affected.

Question 13

What is a flexor tendon rupture?

Answer 13

Commonly called a “jersey finger”, is a rupture of the flexor tendon that bends the fingertip down.

Question 14

What is mallet finger?

Answer 14

Injury to the end of finger that causes it to bend inwards towards your palm. Unable to straighten end of finger.

Question 15

What is boutonniere deformity?

Answer 15

A medical condition when the finger is flexed at the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) and hyperextended at the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP).

Question 16

What is medial epicondylitis?

Answer 16

Commonly called “golfers elbow”, its characterised by pain from the elbow to the wrong on the inside of the elbow. Tendons that bend the wrist toward the palm are damaged.

Question 17

What is cyclist’s palsy?

Answer 17

Nerve injury at the wrist to the ulnar nerve.

Question 18

What is handlebar palsy?

Answer 18

Common condition involving short-term loss of sensation, pins and needles type pain, and decreased muscle strength of the pinky finger side of the hand.