Elbow/Forearm Flashcards
Claw Hand (What is the posture, what is the cause, and which muscles are causing imbalance?)
Clawing of the ulnar 2 digis
- MCP Hyperextension: unopposed extensors with loss of lumbricals
- IP Flexion: unopposed long flexors with loss of lumbricals
Only appears in low ulnar n. palsy, as high ulnar nerve palsy will knock out FDS as well.
Orientation of the Distal Humerus (sagittal, coronal, axial)
- Sagittal: 30 degrees flexed/anterior tilt
- Coronal: 6-8 degrees valgus
- Axial: 5 degrees IR
Sites of Compression of the Ulnar N.
- Medial intramuscular septum
- Arcade of Struthers
- Medial Epicondyle (osteophytes)
- Cubital Tunnel: osbournes ligaments, anconeus epitrochlearis
- Arcuate Ligament (aponeurosis between FCU heads
- Ligament of Spinner (aponeurosis between FDS of D4 and Humeral arm of FCU)
- Deep flexory/pronator aponeurosis
- Guyon’s Canal (3 zones)
What is the plane and angle of the capitellum?
Sits 30 degrees extended. The center of the curve lies 60 f.rom the anterior humreral line
Boundaries & Contents of the Antecubital Fossa
- Superior: Transepicondylar Line
- Medial: Pronator Teres
- Latera: Brachioradialis
Contents (lat to med):
- Biceceps Tendon
- Brachial A.
- Median N.
Force transmittance from wrist to elbow
- Wrist: Radius (80%, Ulna 20%)
- Elbow: Radius (60%, Ulna 40%)
Force is transmitted via the IOM
Providers of Elbow Valgus Stability
- 20-120 Degrees- Anterior Bundle (not band) of MCL
- <20 & >120 - intrinsic bony restraint
Radial Tunnel Syndrome
- Lateral proximal forearm pain
- 3-4cm distal to the lateral epicondyle
- Extasturbated with elbow forearm pronation, elbow extension and wrist flexion
Pronator Syndrome
Compression neuropathy of the median n. at the elbow.
- Will have weakness in AIN as well as median n. proper distribution
Cubital Tunnel Boundaries
- Floor: MCL & joint capsule
- Roof: Arcuate Ligament of Osbourne (aponeurosis between two heads of FCU
Safe Zone for Fixation in Radial Head
90 degree arc between radial styloid and lister’s tubercle. Essentially area that does not articulate with the sigmoid notch.
Medial Ligaments of the Elbow
MCL
-
Anterior Bundle: medial epicondyle to sublime tubercle. Primary stabilizer against valgus force from 20-120 degrees of elbow ROM.
- Anterior Band: opposes valgus stress in extension
- Central Band: isometric
- Posterior Band: opposes valgus stress in flexion
- Posterior Bundle: 2nd restraint in deep flexion
- Transverse Bundle: function unknown, does not cross elbow joint.
Baumann’s Angle
Angle between humeral shaft and lateral condyle physis.
- Normal ~72 +/- 5 degrees
- Only applicable in skeletally immature patients.
Sites of Compression of PIN
- Fibrous bands- anterior to radiocapitellar joint between brachialis and brachioradialis
- Recurrant vessles: Leash of Henry
- ECRB leading edge
- Arcade of Frosche- proximal end of supinator
- Supinator - distal edge
Bare Area of the Ulna
Non articular portion of the ulna, between olecranon articular facet and coracoid articular facet.
- ~2cm distal to the triceps insertion
- Between FCU and ECU
- Spot you aim for when doing an olecranon osteotomy
Proximal Ulna Dorsal Angulation (PUDA)
~5.7 degrees, located ~47mm from the tip of the olecranon.
*Can compare to other side when doing a reconstruction
Axial Stabiliziers of the Elbow
- Radial Head
- IOM
- TFCC
Martin-Gruber Anastomosis
Most common nervous anastamosis in the upper extremity. Main trunk of median n. or AIN joins the ulnar n. and will innervate hand intrinsics in absense of ulnar innervation.
- 20-25% of patients
Label the Diagram Below
- Ulna
- Anconeus
- ECU
- Supinator
- EDC
- ECRL
- Brachioradialis
- Radius
- Brachialis
- Pronator Teres
- FCR
- FDS
- FCU
- FDP
Tendon Transfers in High Median N. Palsies
- Thumb IP Flexion: BR to FPL
- Index & Long Finger Flexion: FDP of ring and small finger to FDP of first and middle (side to side)
Attachments in Proximity to the Coranoid
- 6mm capsule
- 12mm brachialis
- 18mm MCL
*nothing inserts directly onto the coranoid
Whartonberg Syndrome
Cheiralgia Paresthetica: Superificial radial nerve comrpession. Pain over forearm. Tinels sign along superficial radial nerve.
- Most common compression point is at brachioradialis
- No motor loss
Muscles Innervated by PIN
- ECRL
- Extensor Pollicis Longus
- Extenstor Digitorum Communus
- Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
- Extensor Indicis
- Abductor Pollicis Longus
- Supinator