Elbow Flashcards
What two joints make up the elbow?
Humero-ulnar
Radio-capitallar
What is the function of the humero-ulnar joint?
Flexion extension
What is the function of the radio-capitellar joint?
Supination/pronation
What does the triceps muscle do?
Elbow extension
Inserts onto olecranon process
What does the brachialis do?
Elbow flexion
Inserts onto the coronoid process
What does the biceps do?
Elbow flexion
Inserts onto the bicipital tuberosity of the radius.
What muscles control supination?
Biceps and supinator muscles
What muscles control pronation?
Contraction of pronator Teres proximally
pronator quadratus distally
Tennis elbow
Lateral epicondylitis
Causes of tennis elbow?
Repetitive strain injury
Resisted extension at wrist
degenerative Enthesopathy
In the forearm which side do extensors arise from?
Lateral
Lateral epicondyle is origin
In the forearm and wrist which side to flexors arise from?
Medial
Medial epicondyle
What is Enthesopathy?
Pain in the attachment of ligament
What is an enthesis?
The area where the tendon attaches to bone?
What is the pathology of tennis elbow?
Microtears in extensor origin
Tennis elbow
Lateral epicondyle
Extensor
Clinical signs of tennis elbow?
Painful and tender lateral epicondyle
Pain on middle finger and wrist extension
Treatment for tennis elbow
Self limiting NSAIDs Rest Brace Steroid injection Physiotherapy
Is surgery used in tennis elbow?
Only for refractory cases.
Division or excision of extensor origin
lateral epicondylitis
Tennis elbow
Golfers elbow
Medial epicondylitis
Which is more common tennis or golfers elbow?
Lateral tennis is more common
Golfers elbow cause
Repeated strain or degeneration of the flexor origin.
Golfers elbow treatment.
Physio Rest NSAIDs Brace Steroid injection risk of ulnar nerve damage
Is primary OA of the elbow common?
No its very uncommon
What forms of arthritis are common in the elbow?
Rheumatoid or secondary OA due to trauma
What is unusual about RA in the elbow
Massively reduced symptoms despite joint being destroyed.
Arthritis in radio-capitellar joint that’s unresponsive to non surgical treatment can undergo what?
Excision of the joint as good pain relief with minimal loss of function.
Arthritis in homer-ulnar joint that’s unresponsive to non surgical treatment can undergo what?
Total elbow replacement
What is the limiting factors for a total elbow replacement?
2.5kg lifted postoperative
