Disorders Of Hand And Wrist Flashcards
Why is the ulnar nerve not effected by carpal tunnel syndrome?
Passes through Guyon’s canal which is superficial to flexor retinaculum (superficial border to carpal tunnel)
Why is sensation to palm unaffected in carpal tunnel syndrome?
Palmar cutaneous branch of medial nerve which supplies section to radial 2/3rds of palm is given off proximal to carpal tunnel
Mechanism of injury of distal radius fractures
Fall onto outstretched hand
Who are distal radius fractures common in?
Young people with high energy trauma
Older people with low energy trauma
Risk factors for distal radius fractures
Osteoporosis
What does a distal radius fracture prompt investigation of?
Osteoporosis
Especially in older people with low energy trauma
What is a Colles’ fracture?
Extra articular distal radius fracture with dorsal angulation
Types of distal radius fractures
Colles’ fracture
Smith’s fracture
Mechanism of injury of Colles’ fracture
Fall onto outstretched hand
Wrist in flexed position
Management of Colles’ fracture
Reduction + immobilisation in case
Check pulses, sensations + movement
Complications of Colles’ fracture
Malunion - dinner fork deformity
Median nerve palsy + post traumatic CTS
Secondary osteoarthritis
Tear of extensor pollicis longus tendon
Typical shape of Colles’ fracture
Dinner fork deformity
Dinner - Dorsal
What is a Smith’s fracture?
Distal radius fracture with palmar angulation of distal fragment
Mechanism of injury of Smiths fracture
Fall onto dorsum of hand
Direct blow to back of wrist
Typical shape of Smith’s fracture
Garden space deformity
Complications of Smith’s fracture
Malunion narrows + distorts carpal tunnel > carpal tunnel syndrome
Mechanism of scaphoid fracture
Fall onto outstretched hand
What is the most common carpal bone fracture?
Scaphoid fracture
Presentation of scaphoid fracture
What makes it worse?
Pain in anatomical snuffbox
Worsens on moving wrist
What is the risk of a vascular necrosis of scaphoid fracture?
Dorsal carpal branch of radial artery supplies scaphoid
Management of fractures
Check pulses, sensation + movement
Analgesia
‘Reduce, hold + rehabilitate’
Closed reduction with immobilisation or percutaneous pinning
Open reduction internal fixation
External fixation
Types of closed reduction
Immobilisation
Percutaneous pinning
What joints does rheumatoid arthritis commonly affect in hands?
MCPJ
PIP
How does rheumatoid arthritis occur?
Autoimmune condition
1- autoantibodies attack synovial membrane
2- inflamed synovial cells proliferate > pannus
3- pannus penetrate through cartilage + adjacent bone
4- joint erosion + deformity