MSK Flashcards
What are some inflammatory markers?
Elevated ESR and CRP
In joint disease, what is the first line anti-inflammatories used?
NSAIDs
MOA of NSAIDs
block cytokine synthesis, specifically prostaglandins
Which NSAIDs inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2?
ibuprofen, naproxen
Why do some NSAIDs cause increase risk of peptid ulcers?
COX-1 inhibition decreases prostaglandin synthesis in gut
Which type of NSAIDs have fewer GI side effects?
selective COX-2 inhibitors
drugs ending in “-coxib” (eg. Celecoxib/Celebrex)
Types of inflammatory arthritis
RA, spondyloarthritis, infection, crystal-induced
Types of non-inflammatory arthritis
osteoarthritis, trauma, hemarthrosis
Inflammatory vs non-inflammatory symptoms
Inflammatory - aggravated by rest (eg. prolonged morning stiffness), relief with use, symmetric
Non-inflammatory - aggravated by use, relieved by rest, asymmetric
AC joint connects what?
acromion to the clavicle
What are muscles of the rotator cuff? What are their actions?
"SITS" Supraspinatus – abduction Infraspinatus – ER Teres minor – ER Subscapularis – IR
Which rotator cuff muscles is most often injured?
suprapinatus
PE findings of AC joint osteoarthritis
Tenderness over AC joint
Cross-arm test (pain cause by flexion and adduction of arm)
Pathophysiology of rotator cuff impingement
rotator cuff pinched underneath acromion
Patient comes in because increasing shoulder pain and weakness. Says she can’t lift arm above her shoulder to brush her hair. Likely dx?
Rotator cuff tear or impingement
Test that isolates supraspinatus? How is it done?
Empty can test: elevate and abduct shoulders with thumbs down. Push down on patient’s arms.
Pain = rotator cuff tear of supraspinatus
What are some PE tests for shoulder impingement?
Neer test – Move fully pronated arm in forced flexion (SUBACROMIAL)
Hawkins test – arm is forward elevated to 90 degrees, then forcibly internally rotated (SUPRASPINATUS)
Pain with either is indicative of impingement
How is apprehension test done? What does it test?
anterior instability
Arm abducted to 90 deg while examiner externally rotates arm and applies anterior pressure to humerus
Test indicating positive labral tear
“clunk sign”
O’Brien test
Speeds (bicep tendonitis)
Test that shows complete rotator cuff tear
Drop arm test
Pathophysiology of carpal tunnel syndrome
median nerve compression as it runs through carpal tunnel
What forms the carpal tunnel?
carpal bones and flexor retinaculum
Which fingers are affected in carpal tunnel?
median nerve distribution - thumb, index, middle, radial half of ring finger
What is a sign of severe cases of carpal tunnel?
atrophied thenar eminence
Positive tests for carpal tunnel
Tinel’s sign - pain and tingling with percussion of flexor retinaculum
Phalen’s Test - press back of hands together (full wrist flexion) and hold, reproduces sx’s within 60 seconds *more accurate than Tinel’s
Diagnostic testing for carpal tunnel
EMG testing
Carpal tunnel treatment
Avoid repetitive movements (typing) Night splint NSAIDS Steroid injection If symptoms constant than need surgical release of flexor retinaculum
Lateral epicondylitis aka _________ and medial epicondylitis aka _________.
lateral = tennis elbow medial = golfers elbow
Epicondylitis treatment
Rest ice Injection Stop repetitive activity Counterforce brace Physical Therapy
Etiology of lateral epicondylitis caused by what repetitive movement?
wrist supination and extension
- medial is pronation and flexion
Causes of AC joint separation injury
Direct blow
FOOSH
When should AC joint separation be surgically corrected?
Type I, II: non-surgical; sling, analgesics, ice
Type III: possible surgery in athletes and heavy laborers
Type IV, V, VI: refer
Most common shoulder dislocation
anterior dislocation (95%)
Tests for shoulder dislocation
Positive apprehension sign
Positive sulcus sign
How is shoulder dislocation treated?
manual reduction
What is a Boxer’s fracture?
fracture of 5th metacarpal
Boxer’s fracture treatment
Ulnar gutter splint
Closed reduction pinning
ORIF
What is a Colles fracture?
distal radius fracture with dorsal angulation of hand and wrist = dinner fork deformity
FOOSH
most common wrist injury
Colles fracture treatment
Closed reduction and immobilization
Surgical correction if unable to achieve a stable satisfactory reduction.
Gamekeeper’s Thumb is an injury to what structure?
ulnar collateral ligament of thumb
tear or avulsion at insertion on proximal phalanx
Signs of Gamekeeper’s Thumb
Instability of the metacarpal joint of the thumb
Weak pinch or grasp
Swelling or bruising of the thenar eminence
Treatment of Gamekeeper’s Thumb
Minor tears: thumb spica
Significant tears: surgical repair
Most commonly fractured carpal bone
scaphoid
Hallmark finding of scaphoid fracture
painful palpation of anatomical snuffbox
Diagnostic imaging for scaphoid fracture
MRI, may be missed on XR
Treatment of scaphoid fracture
Treat if suspected!
Thumb spica cast
Surgical correction
subluxation of radial head past annular ligament =
Nursemaid’s elbow
Nursemaid’s elbow mechanism of injury
pulling on extended arm of child
Treatment of Nursemaid’s elbow
Reduction: supinate wrist and extend the elbow while applying pressure over radial head
What does a fat pad sign indicate on XR?
occult elbow fracture
Time duration of acute vs chronic MSK conditions
acute less than 6 wks
chronic more than 12 wks
How to test for herniated disc?
+ SLR
L5 nerve effects: decreased ankle and great toe strength, numb medial foot
S1 nerve effects: numb posterior calf and lateral foot, weak plantar flexion, diminished Achilles reflex
What is the narrowing of the spinal canal resulting in compression of spinal cord or nerve roots?
spinal stenosis
Causes of spinal stenosis
Herniated disc Osteoarthritis Compression fractures Trauma Tumor Inflammation Congenital - narrow spinal canal
Define radiculopathy
pain, weakness or numbness radiating down a particular nerve distribution
What is shopping cart sign? What does it indicate?
relief of back pain when bending forward and pushing a shopping cart
sign of spinal stenosis
Most herniated discs occur where?
L4/L5 and L5/S1
Patient comes in because of…
Saddle anesthesia
Bowel or bladder incontinence
Sexual dysfunction
Pain in the lower extremities
Cauda equina syndrome
What nerves make up the caudal equine (“horse tail”)?
L2-L5
S1-S5
coccygeal nerve
Treatment of caudal equina
Acute onset is an emergency requiring immediate surgical decompression
Chronic inflammatory disease resulting in vertebral fusion =
Ankylosing spondylitis
Schober’s test
Mark L5 with patient standing
Mark 5 cm below L5 = point 1
Mark 10 cm above L5 = point 2
With the patient bending over, the distance between point 1 and 2 should be greater than 20 cm. If not, this indicates decreased flexion of spine (seen in ankylosing spondylitis)
XR findings of ankylosing spondylitis
Bamboo spine
Ankylosing spondylitis treatment
NSAIDs Opioids DMARDS TNF-alpha antagonists PT Surgery
Serum positive for HLA-B27. DDX?
Ankylosing spondylitis
Psoriatic arthritis
Reactive arthrites (Reiter’s Syndrome)
Medical term for humpback
kyphosis
Epidemiology of ankylosing spondylitis
M > F
young adults
Treatment of kyphosis
Bracing
Physical therapy
Kyphoplasty
Clinical definition of scoliosis
spinal curvature of more than 10 degrees from side to side
What is evaluated on XR of scoliosis?
Cobb angle: line parallel to superior endplate of one vertebra and another line parallel to inferior plate of another vertebra; angle at which these two lines intersect is Cobb angle
Treatment of scoliosis
Based on Cobb angle
- Less than 20: watchful waiting, bracing may arrest further deformity
- Over 50: posterior spinal fusion surgery
What is the minimum you should wait to order imaging on a patient with generalized low back pain and no significant history?
4 weeks
All open fractures should include what treatment?
Irrigation and debridement within 8 hrs of injury
Empirical abx: 1st gen cephalosporin (cephalexin, keflex)
Risk factors for Avascular necrosis of femoral head
Long term steroid use Alcoholism Trauma Arterial embolism Sickle cell anemia Autoimmune disorders like Lupus or RA
Symptoms of avascular necrosis of femoral head
groin pain
difficulty walking
Treatment of avascular necrosis of femoral head
Core decompression
Total hip replacement
PE tests done in infants to assess for developmental dysplasia of the hip
Barlow maneuver – flex hips and knees to 90 deg. Abduct and IR hips while applying pressure to knees in effort to dislocate hips
Ortolani maneuver – flex hips and knees to 90 deg and ER hips while applying pressure over greater trochanters. Done after Barlow to reduce hip if dislocated; positive if clunk
Developmental dysplasia of the hip treatment
Bracing and splinting
Surgical correction and possibly total hip