Clinical elbow conditions Flashcards
Most common elbow injury
Supracondylar fracture (extraarticular, joint not involved)
How do supracondylar fractures occur?
FOOSH, elbow hyperextended
eg monkey bars
Age for supracondylar fractures
<10
Peak 5-7 years - more active
Presentation supracondylar fracture
Pain
Deformity
Loss of function
Less common supracondylar fracture
Elderly
Falling on flexed elbow (5%)
Displacement supracondylar fractures
Posterior displacement `
Main complications supracondylar fractures
Cubitus varus (gunstock deformity) Median nerve damage Ischaemic contracture (brachial artery)
Ischaemic contracture explained
Ischaemia –> infarction
Scar tissue (fibrosis)
Fibrous tissue contracts (myofibroblasts)
Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture
Volkmanns ischaemic contracture position
Flexed wrist and elbow
Pronated
Extended fingers at metocarpophalangeal joint
Flexed fingers at interphalangeal joint
Dislocated elbow, how does it occur?
FOOSH, elbow PARTIALLY flexed (strongest in full extension and flexion)
Elbow fracture X-ray
Posterior displaced
Ulna posteriorly displaced
(Humerus –> anterior)
Associated injuries dislocated elbow
Ulna ligament tear
Associated fracture?
Ulnar nerve damage
How do anterior elbow dislocations occur?
Force to posterior aspect of flexed elbow
What is pulled elbow?
Subluxation of radial head (partial disruption)
Due to tear of distal attachment to radius
Pulled elbow who and why?
Children 2-5 years old
Annular ligament weaker
What position is pulled elbow likely to occur in?
Pronated
Longitudinal traction on arm (pulling extended arm)
Why does subluxation occur more in pronated position?
Annular ligament is looser in pronation
Radial head more likely to ‘slip through’
Radial head and neck fracture cause
FOOSH
Radial head impacts on capitulum of humerus
Pulled elbow presentation
Reduced movement
Pain lateral proximal forearm (radial side)
Not using arm
Radial head and neck fracture presentation
Pain lateral proximal forearm
Loss of range of movement
Small swelling
X-ray sign radial head/neck fracture
Fat pad/Sail sign (dark grey patch around joint)
Effusion present
Blood into joint - haemarthrosis
What causes fat pad/sail sign?
Displacement of fat pads from fossas (olecranon)
Fat is less dense - dark black/grey
OA of elbow common people
Men > women
Manual workers
Athletes involving throwing (javelin)
Patient description OA elbow
Grating (crepitus)
Locking (loose cartilage)
Swelling = late
Paraesthesia (ulnar nerve impinged by osteophyte)