Elbow and Wrist pathology

Question 1

lateral epicondylitis

Answer 1

Chronic degenerative condition due to
overuse injury to common extensor
muscles; often from racquet sports or
throwing

Question 2

medial epicondylitis

Answer 2

Chronic degenerative condition due to
overuse injury to flexor tendons;
baseball pitching, golf club swinging

Question 3

lateral epicondylitis presentation

Answer 3

Ages 30–50 years; pain over lateral
epicondyle of humerus mainly with
gripping activities; poor mechanics or
faulty equipment; +ve special tests

Question 4

medial epicondylitis presentation

Answer 4

Pain over medial epicondyle, including
forearm and wrist, mainly with gripping
and excessive pronation activities; +ve
special tests

Question 5

lateral epicondylitis treatment

Answer 5

RICE; NSAIDs; cryotherapy; thermotherapy;
TENS; increase strength, flexibility, and
endurance of wrist extensors; may use strap

Question 6

medial epicondylitis treatment

Answer 6

RICE; NSAIDs; cryotherapy; thermotherapy;
TENS; increase strength, flexibility, and
endurance of wrist flexors; may use strap

Question 7

colles fracture

Answer 7

Fx of distal radius due to FOOSH or blow to palmar side of wrist; fragment often displaced in the dorsal and posterior direction, can lead to “dinner fork”
deformity

Question 8

smiths fracture

Answer 8

Fx of distal radius due to fall on the back of flexed hand or blow to dorsal side of wrist; fragment often displaced in the palmar and anterior direction, can lead
to “garden spade” deformity

Question 9

colles fracture presentation

Answer 9

Wrist pain, swelling, and deformity; limited
ROM; tenderness over distal radius Complications: complex regional pain; decreased grip strength; loss of ROM;
CTS, extensor pollicis longus tendon tear X-ray used for diagnosis

Question 10

smiths fracture presentation

Answer 10

Wrist pain, swelling, and deformity; limited
ROM; tenderness over distal radius Complications: complex regional pain syndrome, CTS, malunion X-ray used for diagnosis

Question 11

colles fracture treatment

Answer 11

NSAIDs; closed or open reduction; external
or internal nail fixations; casting; splints; edema reduction; isometrics; PROM, AROM, and AAROM; stretching; modalities
(hot pack, paraffin wax, cryotherapy, TENS); increase strength, endurance, and
coordination

Question 12

smiths fracture treatment

Answer 12

NSAIDs; closed reduction; casting; splints; edema reduction; isometrics; PROM,
AROM, and AAROM; stretching; modalities (hot pack, paraffin wax, cryotherapy, TENS); increase strength, endurance, and coordination