Blue Boxes: Upper Extremity Flashcards

Understand disease/pathological states associated with issues in upper extremity osteology, arthrology, myology, angiology, and neurology.

1
Q

What are Greenstick fractures?

Clavicle fractures in children are most often what type of fracture?

A

Clavicle fractures in children

One of the most frequently fractures bones

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

What happens if the fusion of the two ossification centers of the clavicle fail to occur?

A

Bony defect forms between the lateral and medial thirds of the clavicle

Awareness of this possible congenital defect should prevent diagnosis of a fracture in an otherwise normal clavicle

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

What should you be concerned about with scapular fractures?

A

Protruding subcutaneous acromion

Scapular Fractures are rare (result of severe trauma) and require little treatment due to the muscles that surround it

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

What is the most common site of fracture on the humerus?

A

Surgical neck

Greater tubercle is also susceptible to avulsion by the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscles that insert there

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

What nerves correspond to these sites of the humerus?

Surgical Neck

Radial Groove

Distal end of the humerus

Medial Epicondyle

A

Surgical Neck: Axillary Nerve

Radial Groove: Radial Nerve

Distal end of the humerus: Median Nerve

Medial Epicondyle: Ulnar Nerve

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What can cause a glenoid labrum tear?

A

Injuries to tissue rim surrounding shoulder socket from acute trauma or repetitive shoulder motion

  • Falling on an outstretched arm
  • A direct blow to the shoulder
  • A sudden pull, such as when trying to lift a heavy object
  • A violent overhead reach, such as when trying to stop a fall or slide
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What nerve is compressed when you hit your “funny bone”? Where is it located?

A

Ulnar Nerve at the groove for the Ulnar N.

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

What can cause an avulsion (pulling away) of medial humeral epicondyle?

A

Severe abduction of extended elbow

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

Which bone is fractured in a fractured elbow?

A

Olecranon: Usually avulsion fracture and difficult to repair

Normally caused by falling

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

What is Colle’s Fracture

A
  • Fracture at the distal end of the radius from breaking falls.
  • Can be accompanied with evulsion of ulnar styloid process.

Most common in adults over 50 and those with osteoporosis

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

What is the most commonly fractured carpal bone & how does it occur?

A

Scaphoid

  • Results from trying to break a fall by landing on the palm when the hand is abducted (FOOSH).
  • Often misdiagnosed as a severe sprain.
  • The distal fragment of bone is susceptible to avascular necrosis since it is usually separated from it’s blood supply
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What can cause a fracture of the Hamate?

What nerve can be potentially injured?

A

Traction produced by attached hypothenar muscles can cause the fractured bony parts to join together

Ulnar Nerve close tho hamate

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

What is typically injured in a Boxer’s Fracture?

A

Fracture of the 5th metacarpal

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

What is unique about fractures of distal phalanges?

A

Can be bad due to intricate relationship between phalanges and flexor tendons bone fragments

Need to be realigned carefully to maintain function

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

What is agenesis?

A

Failure of body part or organ to form, usually due to a lack of genetic signaling to produce primordial tissue and failure of subsequent development in the embryo

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

What is Poland Syndrome?

A

Agenesis of the Pectoralis Major and Pectoralis Minor

-can also see breast hypoplasia nad absence of 2-4 rib segments

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

What happens if the Serratus Anterior Muscle or Long Thoracic Nerve is injured?

A

Winging of the Scapula

  • Upper limb will not elevate normally above the horizontal position
  • Serratus anterior is unable to upwardly rotate the scapula to position the glenoid cavity superiorly to allow complete abduction or elevation of the limb
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the Triangleo f Auscultation?

A

Gap in the back musculature to examine lungs

Borders:

  1. Superior horizontal border of the latissimus dorsi
  2. Medial border of the scapula
  3. Inferolateral border of the trapezius form a triangle of auscultation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What happens if there is a Spinal Accessory Nerve Injury?

A

“Dropped” shoulder with a marked ipsilateral weakness when the shoulders are elevated (shrugged) against resistance

Weakness in Trapezius Muscle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How can the Thoracodorsal Nerve be injured?

What can happen if it is injured?

A

Surgery in inferior part of axialla puts the nerve at risk

-also vulnerable during mastectomies

Clinical Manifestations: Unable to raise trunk wiht upper limbs (can’t climb)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What happens if Dorsal Scapular Nerve is injured?

A

Rhomboid and Levator Scapulae Muscles affected

-If rhomboids on one side are paralyzed, the scapula on the affected side is located farther from the midline than that on the normal side

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

What happens if Axillary Nerve is injured?

How can this happen?

A

Atrophy to Deltoids and Teres Minor Muscles

  • Shoulder: flattened appearance and produces a slight hollow inferior to the acromion.
  • Loss of sensation may occur over the lateral side of the proximal part of the arm (via s**uperior lateral cutaneous nerve)

Causes:

  1. Injury to surgical neck of humerus
  2. Anterior dislocation of glenohumeral joint
  3. Compression from incorrect use of crutches
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What happens if there is a fracture or dislocation of Proximal Humeral Epiphysis?

A

Cause: Direct blow or indirect injury of the shoulder in children/adolescents

  • Joint capsule of the glenohumeral joint is reinforced by rotator cuff and is stronger than the epiphysial plate
  • Severe fractures: shaft of the humerus is markedly displaced, but the humeral head retains its normal relationship with the glenoid cavity of the scapula
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What happens in rotator cuff injuries?

A

Instability of Glenohumeral Joint

Trauma can tear or rupture one or more tendons (most commonly Supraspinatus Muscle)

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

Where are the three scapular anastomoses?

If you want to cut off blood supply to the Upper Extremity, where can place ligatures?

A
  1. B/t Suprascapular and Circumflex Scapular Arteries
  2. B/t Circumflex Scapular and Dorsal Scapular Arteries
  3. B/t Thoracodorsal and Dorsal Scapular Arteries

Before Thyrocervical Trunk or After Subscapular Arteries

26
Q

What are some injuries that can happen to the Axillary Artery?

A

Compression: Happens in third part of the axillary artery against humerus (normally to stop profuse bleeding)

Aneurysm: Happens in first part of the axillary artery and can compress brachial plexus, causing pain or loss of sensation

Can occur in football or baseball players due to their arm movements

Other Injuries: Proximal wound can cause profuse bleeding or air emboli in blood

27
Q

How does the axillary vein play a role in the Subclavian Vein Puncture?

A

Axillary vein becomes subclavian vein when it passes the first rib so the puncture happens in the terminal part of axillary vein

28
Q

When there is an infection of the lymph nodes, which lymph nodes are normally first invovled?

A

Axillary Nodes: humeral group of nodes

29
Q

During an axillary lymph node dissection, what two nerves are at risk of injury?

A
  1. Long Thoracic Nerve
  2. Thoracodorsal Nerve
30
Q

What are some injuries of the Brachial Plexus?

A

1. Erb-Duchenne Palsy: Injury to superior parts of brachial plexus

2. Brachial Plexus Neuropathy: Severe pain around shoulder

3. Klumpke Paralysis: Injury to inferior parts of brachial plexus

31
Q

The bicipital myotatic reflex can suggest injuries in what area?

A

Injury to Musculocutaneous Nerve or C5 and C6 Anterior Rami

32
Q

What is Biceps Tendinitis?

A

Inflammation of the biceps tendon from microtears

-Repetitive microtrauma (common in sports)

33
Q

How can the Long Head of the Biceps be injured?

A

1. Dislocation of Tendon of Long Head of Biceps: Tramuatic separation of long head from proximal humerus

Normally in young kids or older people

2. Rupture of Tendon of Long Head of Biceps: Wear and tear of inflammed tendon or torn from scapula

Normally happens from prolonged biceps tendonitis

34
Q

What happens if Musculocutaneous Nerve is injured?

A

Paralysis of the coracobrachialis, biceps, and brachialis and loss of sensation to lateral surface of forearm supplied by lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm

35
Q

What would happen if the Radial Nerve is injured?

A

Paralysis of the triceps, brachioradialis, supinator, and extensor muscles of the wrist and fingers

Classic sign: wrist drop

36
Q

Where would you peform venipuncture in cubital fossa?

A

Most commonly done in median cubital vein

37
Q

What is Lateral Epicondylitis?

A

“Tennis Eblow”

Pain is felt over the lateral epicondyle and radiates down the posterior surface of the forearm

38
Q

What is Mallet Finger/Baseball Finger?

A

Hyperflexion of distal interphalangeal joint: avulses long extensor tendon

39
Q

What can cause a fracture of the olecranon?

A

Fall on the elbow combined with sudden powerful contraction of the triceps brachii

-Subcutaneous and protrusive

40
Q

What is a Ganglion Cyst (Synovial Cyst)?

A

Accumulation of mucopolysaccharide fluid in the hand

  • Normally not painful
  • Can cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
41
Q

What will happen if the median nerve is injured?

A
  • Flexion of proximal interphalangeal joints of the 1st–3rd digits is lost and weakened in the 4th and 5th digits.
  • Flexion of the distal interphalangeal joints of the 2nd and 3rd digits is also lost.
  • Flexion of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the 2nd and 3rd digits is affected because the digital branches of the median nerve supply the 1st and 2nd lumbricals
  • Hand of Benediction*
42
Q

What happens if ulnar nerve is injured?

A

Nerve passes posterior to the medial epicondyle of humerus

-Numbness and tingling of medial part of the palm and medial one and a half fingers

43
Q

What is pronator syndrome?

A

Nerve entrapment syndrome: compression of median nerve near the elbow

  • Pain and tenderness in the proximal aspect of the anterior forearm
  • Decreased sensation of palmar asoects of radial three and half digits and adjacent palm
44
Q

What is cubital tunnel syndrome?

A

Ulnar Nerve entrapment in cubital tunnel

-symptoms similar to ulnar nerve lesion

45
Q

What happens if you injure radial nerve in forearm?

A

Due to fracture of humeral shaft

-Injury to extensor muscles

46
Q

What is in the carpal tunnel? Where is it located?

A

Passage anterior to carpal bones and posterior to flexor retinaculum

Transmits the tendons of flexor digitorum profundus and superficialis m. and flexor carpi radialis m. and Median n.

47
Q

Guyon tunnel

A

AKA Ulnar Tunnel- located between pisiform and hamulus of hamate Ulnar nerve passes thru (susceptible to compression; numbness and weakness in wrist and hand)

48
Q

What happens in a shoulder separation?

A

Separation of the acromioclavicular joint w/ or without rupture of coracoclavicular l.

49
Q

Dislocation of the glenohumeral joint occurs in which directions?

A

Anteriorly and inferiorly

50
Q

Elbow dislocation usually involves a tear in what ligament?

A

Ulnar collateral l.

51
Q

“Student’s Elbow/Dart Thrower’s Elbow”

-Subcutaneous olecranon bursitis

A

Inflammation of subcutaneous olecranon bursa and bioccipital bursa

52
Q

Nursemaid’s elbow/ Pulled elbow

A

Radial head dislocated out of the annular ligament (Don’t pull your kiddos arm)

53
Q

Bull Rider’s Thumb

A

Sprain of the lateral collateral ligament of the proximal phalynx of the thumb

54
Q

Skiier’s Thumb

A

Laxity or rupture of both collateral ligaments (medial and lateral ligaments) in first metacarpophalangeal joint Caused by hyperabduction

55
Q

Dupuytren Contracture

A

Disease from shortening, thickening, fibrosis of palmar aponeurosis and palmar fascia Pain flexing 4th and 5th digits

56
Q

Triangular Space Borders

A

Teres minor m. Teres major m. Long head of triceps brachii m.

57
Q

Triangular Space Contents

A

Circumflex scapular a. and v.

58
Q

Quadrangular space borders

A

Teres minor m. Teres major m. Long and lateral heads of triceps brachii m.

59
Q

Quadrangular space contents

A

Posterior humeral circumflex a and v. Axillary n.

60
Q

Triangular interval borders

A

Teres major m. Long and lateral heads of triceps brachii.

61
Q

Triangular interval contents

A

Deep brachial a. and v. Radial n.

62
Q

Triangular interval contents

A

Deep brachial a. and v. Radial n.