MSK Flashcards
Thumb extension nerve root
C8
Finger abduction nerve root
T1
Ankle dorsiflexion nerve root
L4
Big toe extension nerve root
L5
Ankle plantarflexion nerve root
S1
Knee flexion nerve root
S2
Elbow flexion and wrist extension nerve root
C6
Elbow extension and wrist flexion nerve root
C7
Scapula elevation nerve root
C4
Shoulder abduction nerve root
C5
A hyperirritable band of tight muscle and fascia that produces local numbness and tingling along with radiating pain is also known by which of the following names?
AMyalgia
BTrigger point
CTender point
DMyofascial pain
Answer: A
* A trigger point is defined as in the question stem. A trigger point can be palpated and appreciated by the physician. A tender point is something that cannot be truly felt by the physician, and does not typically radiate pain outward. * Myofascial pain and myalgias are subjective feelings of pain arising from muscle + fascia, and muscle, respectively.
A 40 year-old male is water skiing when he develops sudden onset left knee pain after a wipeout. On exam, valgus stress testing is positive for laxity and reproduction of knee pain. MRI reveals a grade 3 medial collateral ligament tear in the knee (MCL tear). There is no evidence of avulsion fracture or other ligament tearing. Strength, sensation, and reflexes are otherwise intact. What is the next best step in management?
AKnee brace
BPhysical therapy
CSurgical MCL repair
DProlotherapy injection into the MCL
Answer: A
• MCL tears can be treated nonoperatively. A patient with advanced-grade tearing (as in this patient) should be treated with a knee brace to protect the MCL and facilitate healing, followed by gentle ROM and physical therapy.
• Surgery would be indicated if other complications were present such as other ligaments being torn, avulsion fractures, etc. Prolotherapy would not be appropriate for large ligament tears in general.
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis develops a swan neck deformity. How would you describe this abnormal finger position? DIP: distal interphalangeal joint. PIP: proximal interphalangeal joint. MCP: metacarpophalangeal joint.
ADIP flexion, PIP extension, MCP extension
BDIP extension, PIP flexion, MCP extension
CDIP extension, PIP flexion, MCP flexion
DDIP flexion, PIP extension, MCP flexion
Answer: D
“DIP flexion, PIP extension, MCP flexion” correctly describes a swan neck deformity. This is treated with a swan neck ring splint (imagine that!).
A 26 year-old male quarterback in a football game is tackled to the ground. He grabs his right ankle in pain. You rush onto the field and diagnose a torn tibiofibular interosseous ligament. X-rays demonstrate a Maisonneuve fracture. You advise the quarterback that:
APhysical therapy alone is recommended
BOrthopedic surgery consultation is recommended
CKnee bracing and rest will be sufficient
DHis playing days are over
Answer: B
• A Maisonneuve fracture is a proximal fibula fracture that may occur following a high ankle sprain (tibiofibular syndesmosis tear/rupture). Essentially the tearing of the syndesmosis extends all the way up proximally until the forces continue into the proximal fibula, causing a fracture there. X-rays of the knee are thus required following a high ankle sprain; Maisonneuve fracture generally requires orthopedic surgery consultation.
Which of the following nerves innervates the muscles of the deep posterior compartment of the leg?
A Tibial
B Sciatic
C Deep fibular
D Superficial fibular
Answer: A
Explanation:
• The deep posterior leg compartment contains the tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, and flexor hallucis longus, which are all innervated by the tibial nerve.
Heterotopic ossification (HO) is most common at which of the following locations? AHip BKnee CElbow DShoulder
Answer: A
• In most patients, HO is most common at the hip.
• In burn patients, HO is most common at the elbow.
In evaluating a patient with pain, you decide to squeeze her left tibia together by wrapping your hands around the medial and lateral borders of the tibia and squeezing. The purpose of this test is to diagnose which of the following conditions? AAchilles tendon rupture BTibial plateau fracture CMaisonneuve fracture DShin splints
Answer: D
• Squeezing the tibia and reproducing a patient’s pain is indicative of shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome).
• One may also perform a squeeze test to examine a high ankle sprain, but x-rays would be the best test for Maisonneuve fracture (a complication of a high ankle sprain), not physical exam.
A patient presents to your clinic with 5 months of right shoulder pain. On exam, you attempt passive abduction of the shoulder, which takes greater than usual force for you to abduct it, and the patient cries out in pain when you reach 70 degrees of abduction. Empty can, Neer, Hawkins, Speed, and O’Brien tests are positive. What is the most likely diagnosis? ARotator cuff tear BFrozen shoulder CSubacromial impingement/bursitis DLabral tear
Answer: B
• The key to answering this is the high difficulty in simply abducting the shoulder, as well as the limited degrees of abduction, which together imply a very tight shoulder capsule.
• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) frequently shows pan-positive exam findings suggestive of other diseases.
• The other answer choices by themselves would not restrict shoulder range of motion to the same degree that frozen shoulder does.
A 6 year-old boy and his mother present to the ED with sudden-onset left elbow pain. The patient was on a walk with his mother. After his mother pulled him quickly away from the street where there were oncoming cars, he began to cry, and wouldn’t let his mother touch his left arm, holding it close to his body. What is the most likely underlying pathology?
ABehavioral etiology
BLateral epicondylitis
CSubluxation of the radial head away from the annular ligament
DPosterior elbow dislocation
Answer: C
• Nursemaid elbow is a subluxation of the radial head out of the annular ligament’s grasp. It is typically caused by a sudden axial force directed distally along the radius, which pulls the radial head out of the annular ligament’s grasp, causing the radial head to float anteriorly; this causes severe pain in the elbow.
• Treatment is physical exam, xrays, and closed reduction.
• Behavioral concerns should be the a diagnosis of exclusion after physical pathology has been ruled out. Lateral epicondylitis presents chronically.
• Posterior elbow dislocation typically occurs with trauma.
Which of the following is the function of the iliofemoral ligament regarding the hip?
ALimit abduction, flexion, internal rotation
BLimit abduction, extension, internal rotation
CLimit abduction, extension, external rotation
DLimit abduction, flexion, external rotation
Answer: C
• The iliofemoral ligament extends from the ileum to femur on the anterior side of the hip joint. Its function is to limit hip abduction, extension, and external rotation.
A 59 year-old female presents with left knee pain of gradual onset without a history of trauma. She points to the medial knee in a vague, large circle when you ask where the pain is. On exam strength, sensation, and reflexes are intact. Valgus stress testing is negative. Varus stress testing causes medial knee pain. There is pain with resisted hamstring strength. Palpation of the medial tibia below the knee elicits concordant pain. The left medial tibia appears swollen compared to the right. What is the most likely diagnosis? APes anserine bursitis BHamstring tendonitis CLCL sprain DMedial meniscus tear
Answer: A
• This patient depicts classic findings of pes anserine bursitis. The pes anserine consists of sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus which insert onto the medial tibia below the knee. There is also a bursa here which can become inflamed and distended.
A 27 year-old male attempts to cut to the right during a soccer game, and experiences sudden-onset left knee pain and swelling. Anterior drawer is negative. Lachman test is positive. X-rays of the knee should be taken to rule out a Segund fracture, which can be described as which of the following?
A Avulsion fracture of the medial tibial condyle
B Avulsion fracture of the lateral tibial condyle
C Avulsion fracture of the medial femoral condyle
D Avulsion fracture of the lateral femoral condyle
Answer: B
Explanation:
• ACL tears can be associated with Segund fractures, which is an avulsion fracture of the lateral tibial condyle. X-rays are important to rule out this fracture following an acute ACL tear.
ACL tears can be associated with Segund fractures, which is an avulsion fracture of the lateral tibial condyle. X-rays are important to rule out this fracture following an acute ACL tear. Which of the following maneuvers describes the Jerk test with respect to the shoulder?
ANone of these answers is correct
BFlexing shoulder beyond 90 degrees and applying posteroinferiorly directed axial force along humerus
CFlex to 90°, internal rotation, adduction across midline while applying posterior axial force
DAbducting, externally rotating, and applying anteriorly directed force on the humerus.
Answer: C
• Flexing the shoulder to 90 degrees, internally rotating, and adducting across midline with a posterior axial force describes the Jerk test, which is a test for posterior shoulder instability.
• The Kim test (flexing shoulder beyond 90 degrees and applying posteroinferior force) is also a shoulder posterior instability test.
• Abducting, externally rotating, and applying anterior force describes the anterior apprehension test, which unsurprisingly tests for anterior shoulder instability.
A 29 year-old male presents in follow up for left tennis elbow. He has tried RICE, PT, acetaminophen/NSAIDs, and corticosteroid injection to only minimal benefit. It is summer time, and he is disappointed because he is looking forward to playing in an upcoming tournament in London. He wonders if there is anything else he can do. Which of the following is the most appropriate recommendation?
A. Surgery
B. TENS
C. Needle tenotomy of common extensor tendon
D. Repeat corticosteroid injection
Answer: C
• This patient has failed conservative treatments as well as one corticosteroid injection which provided no benefit. At this point regenerative interventions may be considered, including needle tenotomy, platelet-rich plasma, prolotherapy, etc.
• Percutaneous needle tenotomy is the use of a needle to make small holes in a tendon through the skin. Repeated needlesticks can break up scar tissue and cause bleeding in a tendon, prompting the inflammatory cascade and helping the body’s own cells to begin rebuilding the tendon.