Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Q and A's Gindl Flashcards
Test to check for patency of the radial and ulnar arteries
Allen’s Test
Positive Allen’s Test
-What does it indicate?
Delay in refill of the hand
Possible causes of a positive Allen’s
- Subluxation
- Reynaud’s
- Old fractures
- Scar tissue
Positives for Finkelstein’s
-What do they indicate?
1) Unable to bring the thumb across and/or muscle wasting
- Ulnar nerve palsy
2) Pain along the radial side of the forearm
- Stenosing Tenosynovitis of DeQuervain
What would be a DDx for a positive Finkelstein’s?
- Scaphoid fracture
- Stenosing Tenosynovitis of DeQuervain
- Carpal subluxation
Treatment if someone has a positive Finkelsteins
Ice and biomechanical correction
What tendons make up the tunnel of DeQuervain?
- Extensor pollicis brevis
- Abductor pollicis longus
What are some causes of ulnar nerve palsy?
Trauma to the ulnar nerve (banged it or compressed it) or elbow subluxation
Positive Froment’s Test
-Indications?
Patient’s thumb flexes in order to hang onto the paper.
-Ulnar nerve palsy. By flexing the thumb, the patient recruits the median nerve in order to hang on to the paper
Most important thing to do for Froment’s during a practical
-What ways can verify Froment’s?
Dr. should make sure that they could visualize the patient’s thumb. They must be able to see if the patient flexes the thumb
-Look for thenar or hypothenar muscle wasting; loss of strength in muscle tests; EMG
English Test
- Positive _____
- Indication ______
Occlude the arteries before pumping the hand and hold for 60 seconds.
- Symptoms of carpal tunnel emerge
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Two reasons why English Test works
1) Hypoxia
2) Pooling of the blood around the carpal tunnel increases pressure on the Median nerve
Orthopedic Tests for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- English
- Phalen’s
- Tinel Tap
DDx for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Cervical subluxations
- Pronator teres syndrome
- Elbow subluxation
- Shoulder subluxation
- TOS
- Reynaud’s
- Tenosynovitis of DeQuervain
- Ulnar/Radial nerve palsy
- Fractures
- Trigger points on the thumb for the stomach and liver
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome signs/symptoms
- Pain
- Paresthesia
- Numbness
- Tingling
(Median Nerve distribution)
What is the length of time for performing English Test?
Hold for up to a minute or if carpal tunnel symptoms appear before the minute is up
Name two tests that could verify a positive Tinel Tap at the wrist
- Phalen’s
- English
What is the direction of carpal misalignment in carpal tunnel syndrome?
Anterior lunate
Is the lunate usually hypomobile or hypermobile in someone with carpal tunnel?
Hyper mobile
What makes up the carpal tunnel?
The lunate at the posterior aspect and the transverse carpal ligament at the anterior aspect
What are the contents of the carpal tunnel?
Nine flexor tendons
Median Nerve
The adjusting move of choice for someone with carpal tunnel syndrome
Wrist traction
-FLEXION ONLY (extension would push lunate anterior and aggrevate the symptoms)
Best carpal tunnel post check
Repeat orthopedics that were positive on the precheck
Which carpal tunnel test would you not due as a postcheck and why?
Reverse Phalen’s
-Pushes the lunate anterior
What would you do after treating carpal tunnel syndrome?
After adjusting for lunate anterior, bracre or support the wrist then strengthening exercises
What procedures should the Dr. perform to help DDx with a positive Cozen’s or Mill’s test?
- Palpate for point tenderness
- Palpate to differentiate whether the pain is over the raidal head or lateral epicondyle
What treatment protocol would you perform for a lateral epicondylitis?
Correct any biomechanical dysfunction, ice the swelling, wear a counter-fore armband, and change activites for the elbow as this alters the fulcrum for extension so it’s not directly over the lateral epicondyle
Positives for Cozen’s, Mill’s, Lift Test in Pronation
-What does this indicate?
Positive = pain over the lateral epicondyle
-Indicates lateral epicondylitis
Positive finding for lift test in Supination
-What does it indicate?
Pain over the medial epicondyle
-Medial epicondylitis
What else could give a positive Lift test besides epicondylitis?
Lift test with pronation = Radius Posterior
Lift test with supination = Ulna Posterior or Ulna Posterior Medial
Positive Adson’s
- What does it indicate?
- How long do you palpate the radial artery?
Decrease in radial pulse amplitude (or abscence of radial pulse)
- Scanlenus Anticus Syndrome (pressure on subclavian artery and brachial plexus)
- 10 to 20 seconds