Hand Flashcards
What structures form the carpal tunnel?
Flexor retinaculum
Carpal bone
What are possible causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Idiopathic
Rheumatoid arthritis
Fluid retention (e.g. pregnancy)
Wrist fracture (specific link with Colles’)
Which gender are more likely to suffer from osteoarthritis?
Women
How does carpal tunnel syndrome present?
Paraesthesia over the thumb and 2.5 radial fingers. This will be worse at night.
May have wasting of the thenar eminence on examination.
How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?
Splinting
Steroid injections
Nerve decompression
Which fingers are most commonly affected by Dupuytren’s contracture?
Little finger and ring finger.
What causes Dupuytren’s contracture?
Proliferation of the palmar fascia, producing nodules.
What is trigger finger?
Tendonitis of the flexor tendon supplying a finger, resulting in nodulation.
Produces a clicking sensation on movement. May become stuck in severe disease.
How is trigger finger treated?
Steroid injection into the tendon sheath.
What is a swan neck deformity of the finger?
Hyperextension at the PIP and flexion at the DIP.
Seen in rheumatoid arthritis.
What condition causes a ‘Z-shaped’ thumb?
Rheumatoid arthritis
Where are Ganglion cysts found?
DIP joints
Wrist (can be dorsal or volar)
Where are Baker’s cysts found?
Foot
Ankle
Knee
How do Ganglion cysts present?
Firm, smooth rubbery nodules that transilluminate.
Treat with needle aspiration - recurrence is common.
Which form of epicondylitis is associated with worsening pain on wrist flexion/extension?
Medial epicondylitis
