elbow, wrist and hand

Question 1

lateral epicondylitis

Answer 1

(tennis elbow)
=swelling of tendons that extend wrist (most likely extensor carpi radialis brevis)
caused by repetitive motion of forearm
common in 30-50YOA
risks- improper backhand stroke, weak shoulder/ wrist muscles, using a tennis racket that is too tightly strung or too short, other raquet sports, painting
symptoms- pain, burning, ache on forearm/ elbow, pain getting worse with time, pain when gripping small objects, weak grip
prognosis- successful with treatment. RICE, strengthening exercises, NSAIDs, steroid injections

Question 2

medial epicondylitis

Answer 2

(golfer’s elbow)
=damage to tendons that flex wrist
caused by excessive force when flexing wrist
45-64YOA
risks- weak shoulder/ wrist muscles, throwing, frequent use of hand, occupations
symptoms- pain along forearm (medial), pain felt when bending wrist against resistance, pain when squeezing objects
prognosis- activity alteration, RICE, strengthening activities, bracing, corticosteroid injections

Question 3

olecranon bursitis

Answer 3

=irritated olecranon bursa producing excess and swell
caused by trauma, overuse and infection
young/ middle aged people
risks- medical conditions (RA), history of olecranon bursa inflammation, people doing manual labour, athletes, immune system suppressors
symptoms- swelling, pain due to stretching of bursa, restricted ROM, redness, warm
prognosis- Should have gone down in 3-6 weeks
-aspirating bursa with a needle
-antibiotics
-elbow pads
-activity changes
-medications (NSAIDs)

Question 4

carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer 4

=carpal tunnel swells and squeezes median nerve due to repetition of hand movements
50-85YOA
risks- overweight, pregnant, job/hobbies repeatedly bending wrist/ grip hard, genetics, previous wrist injury
symptoms- ache/ pain in fingers, hand or arm, numb hands, tingling/ pins and needles, weak thumb/ difficulty gripping
prognosis- responds well to treatment, wrist splint, steroid injection in wrist, surgery

Question 5

dequervains tenosynovitis

Answer 5

=swelling of tendons running along radial side of wrist (abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis)
caused by tendons being constricted by sheath and overuse of thumb/ wrist
midle aged
risks-pregnancy/ breastfeeding, people with RA, women
symptoms- pain/ tenderness, pain when moving thumb, forming a fist, gripping and turning wrist, swelling on lateral thumb, crepitus
prognosis- reduce swelling of tendons and tendon sheath to relieve pain. good prognosis, NSAIDs, splints, activity modification, corticosteroids, surgery

Question 6

ganglion cyst

Answer 6

=fluid filled swelling along joints of wrists/ hands
caused by synovial fluid in a joint capsule leaks out and collects in a sack
15-40 YOA
risks- injury to wrist or finger joints, inflammation/ irritation of tendons or joints, repetitive activities, chronic illness e.g. arthritis
symptoms- smooth lump under skin, pain
prognosis- only need treatment if it causes pain or affcets ROM, may take a few years to diappear on its own. drain the fluid and cut the cyst out