Elbow Pathology Flashcards
examination and evaluation
- should include comprehensive exam of the upper quarter
- presence of co-morbidities requires different techniques than in those patients without these issues
- medical history along with objective information forms basis for chosen interventions
relevant scales
VAS DASH PSFS UEFS American shoulder and elbow surgeons elbow form Boston questionnaire
DASH
disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand
PSFS
patient specific functional scale
UEFS
upper extremity functional scale
Boston questionnaire
carpal tunnel
general observations
- *posture- head and neck
- *limb position
- muscle tone
- quality, color, temp of skin
- carrying angle- elbow 10-13 deg
- swelling
- resting position of elbow
- ability to use limb
clearing tests
- joint above and below
- always consider c-spine
- shoulder girdle: AROM, PROM, break tests
mobility examination
AROM/PROM
overpressure- flexion/extension, pronation/supination
accessory motion exam:
1: humeroulnar joint
- distraction
- radial and ulnar gapping
2: humeroradial joint
- distraction
- dorsal and volar glides
3: prox & distal radioulnar joint
- dorsal and volar glides
muscle performance examination
MMT
Performance based functional measures (asterisk signs)
- pushing (push off test)
- pulling
- curling
- grip strength
other tests
- ligament stability
- soft tissue mobility
- neurologic status
- functional status
common pathologies of the elbow
- lateral epicondylitis (-algia)
- medial epicondylitis (-algia)
- olecranon bursitis
- dislocation/instability
- radial head subluxation
- Volkman’s contracture
- nerve entrapment syndromes
lateral epicondylitis
“tennis elbow”
-degeneration, micro/macro tearing, trauma of common extension insertion on the lateral epicondyle (focus ECRB, EDC 3 digit)
-initially a viscous cycle of I
inflammation>tissue weakness->tearing
more common >35 y/o
differential diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis
- radiohumeral DJD
- radial nerve entrapment
- ligamentous injury
- proximal pathology
mechanism of lateral epicondylitis
repetitive active forceful wrist extension, forceful gripping
clinical presentation of lateral epicondylitis
- tender over lateral humeral epicondyle, extensor tendon and proximal muscle belly
- possibly some edema noted in acute phase, possibly tight fascial bands noted in chronic phase
- pain on active wrist extension (esp w/ radial deviation)
- pain on passive wrist flexion (esp w/ ulnar deviation, elbow extended, pronated)
- plain films: 7% show abnormal calcification
medial epicondylitis
“Golfer’s elbow”
-micro/macro tearing, trauma of common flexor insertion on medial epicondyle
-initially a viscous cycle of:
inflammation->tissue weakness-> tearing
mechanism of medial epicondylitis
repetitive active forceful wrist flexion
clinical presentation of medial epicondylitis
- tender over medial humeral epicondyle, flexor tendon and proximal muscle belly
- possibly some edema noted in acute phase, possibly tight fascial bands noted in chronic phase
- pain on active wrist flexion and pronation
- pain on passive wrist extension (possible supination)
treatment of ACUTE lat & med epicondylitis
cochrane review supports:
- topical NSAIDS
- local injections of steriods > oral NSAIDS
- patient education: refrain from offending activities
- stretching
- splints/straps
treatment of SUBACUTE lat & med epicondylitis
- deep friction massage
- Mill’s manipulation & radial head mobs
- exercise (iso-> conc-> ecc) through pain
- acupuncture, laser, US
- assess cervical spine and wrist
Mill’s Manipulation
- designed to elongate and tear the scar formed in chronic lateral epicondylitis
- before performing, ensure full elbow extension PROM exists, and there is a restriction in extension ROM with wrist fully flexed (stretch pain over common extensor tendon)
- while maintaining full wrist extension, thrust into elbow extension
olecranon bursitis
- trauma- fall on elbow
- excessive friction
- infection
- systemic disease (RA, gout)
clinical presentation of olecranon bursitis
- confined swelling
- palpation painful, increased temp
- decreased elbow extension strength
- decreased extension ROM
treatment of olecranon bursitis
conservative “wait and see”
- symptom reduction tx (warm soaks, splinting, protection)
- no evidence that this is better or worse
aspiration: temp/permanent relief of swelling
- analyze fluid for infection
aspiration with steroid injection -faster reduction of symptoms -increase in complications skin atrophy-20% septic bursitis- 10% chronic pain or pressure 30%
elbow dislocation
dislocation is a medical emergency
- high chance of nerve and vascular
- often complicated by fx and log disruptions