MSK Flashcards
What is a garden class I fracture?
Incomplete/impacted, valgus angulation of distal component
What is a garden class II fracture?
Complete fracture, undisplaced
What is a garden class III fracture?
Complete, partially displaced fracture
What is a garden class IV fracture?
Complete, totally displaced
What is the Weber classification used for?
Fibula fractures
What is a Weber class A fracture?
Distal to the ankle syndesmosis
What is a weber class B fracture?
At the level of the ankle syndesmosis
What is a weber class C fracture?
Proximal to the ankle syndesmosis
What is the Gustilo classification used for?
Open fractures
What is a Gustilo I fracture?
Low energy fracture
Small clean wound
What is a Gustilo II fracture?
Moderate energy, clean wound >1cm
Mild-moderate comminution
What is a Gustilo III fracture?
High energy
Extensive skin damage
Neurovascular damage and wound contamination
What is the Salter-Harris classification?
Physeal (growth plate) fractures
What is a Salter-Harris class I fracture?
Complete physeal fracture
What is a salter-Harris class II fracture?
Complete physeal fracture + chip of metaphysis
What is a salter-Harris III fracture?
Physeal fracture extending through epiphysis
What is a salter-Harris class IV fracture?
Physeal and epiphyseal and metaphyseal fractures
What is a salter-Harris class V fracture?
Compression fracture of growth plate
What do the increasing numbers in salter-Harris classification mean?
Increasing risk of growth arrest
What is the most common type of salter-Harris fracture?
II
What is the garden classification used for?
Intracapsular hip fractures
What is the common order for all MSK examinations?
Look
Feel
Move
Special tests
What do you look for from behind in a spinal examination?
Asymmetry - head, shoulders, pelvis
Scoliosis
Muscle wasting
Scars
What do you look for from the side in a spinal examination?
Kyphosis
Lordosis
What does asking a patient to walk on tip toes test?
S1
What does asking a patient to walk on their heels test?
L5
What do you feel for when palpating the spine?
Spinous processes
Paraspinal muscles
Start at occipital protuberance and move down to SI joints
What level is the iliac crest at?
L4
What level is the PSIS at?
S2
What movements of the cervical spine should you test?
Flexion/extension
Rotation
Lateral flexion
What movement of the thoracic spine should you test?
Rotation - hold pelvis still from behind and ask patient to turn to face you
What movements of the lumbar spine should you test?
Flexion/extension
Lateral flexion
What is the Schrober test?
Testing lumbar flexion
What are the 4 special tests for sciatica?
Straight leg raise
Save’s test - dorsiflex ankle, produces pain below knee (at full SLR)
Relax knee - pain goes away
Borg’s test - push in upper popliteal fossa
What is Spurling’s sign?
Laterally flex neck to side of pain
+ve = pain down arm
How do patients with spinal stenosis walk?
Flex forward
Widens gaps in spine to reduce pain
What are the components of a peripheral nerve examination?
Inspection Tone Power Reflexes Sensation Coordination
What does 0 on the ASIA chart mean?
Total paralysis
What does 1 on the ASIA chart mean?
Palpable or visible contraction
What does 2 on the ASIA chart mean?
Active movement, full ROM when gravity is eliminated
What does 3 on the ASIA chart mean?
Full ROM against gravity
What does 4 on the ASIA chart mean?
Full ROM against moderate resistance in a specific muscle position
What does 5 on the ASIA chart mean?
Full ROM against full resistance expected from an otherwise unimpaired person
How do you test the C5 myotome?
Elbow flexion
How do you test the C6 myotome?
Wrist extension
How do you test the C7 myotome?
Elbow extension
How do you test the C8 myotome?
Finger flexion
How do you test the T1 myotome?
Finger abduction
How do you test the L2 myotome?
Hip flexion
L3 myotome?
Knee extension
L4 myotome?
Ankle dorsiflexion
L5 myotome?
Extensor hallucis longus (big toe extension)
S1 myotome?
Ankle plantarflexion
What is the supply to the Biceps reflex?
C5
What is the supply to the brachioradialis/supinator reflex?
C6
What is the supply to the triceps reflex?
C7
What if Hoffman’s sign?
UMN sign
Click your finger with theirs in-between
Positive if the clasp their fingers
Analogous to clonus in lower limb
What is the nerve supply to the patella reflex?
L4
What is the nerve supply to the ankle reflex?
S1
What is babinski’s sign?
Stroke along metatarsal V then across to the big toe
First movement of big toe must be extension, followed by fanning of the other toes = UMN sign
How do you test for clonus?
Relax ankle by rolling it then sudden and sustained dorsiflexion
3-4 beats is normal, more than 5 is not - UMN sign
What dermatome do you test in the middle finger?
C7
Where is the L1 dermatome?
Groins
Where is the L2 dermatome?
Hands in pockets
Where is the L3 dermatome?
Knee
Where is the L4 dermatome?
Inside calf
Where is the L5 dermatome?
Outside calf
Where is the S1 dermatome?
Lateral foot and sole
What are the red flag symptoms for back pain?
Age outside 18-55 Non-mechanical pain Night pain Thoracic pain Systemic features: weight loss, night sweats History of malignancy, infection or trauma Steroid/drug abuse Widespread neurology
Define widespread neurology
Neurological symptoms that can’t be explained by a single nerve root defect
What is cauda equina syndrome?
Compression, trauma, spinal stenosis or other damage to the cauda equina
I.e. The spinal cord after its termination at L2
What are the features of cauda equina syndrome?
Bilateral sciatica + perianal numbness (saddle anaesthesia)
Complete cauda equina = detrusor involvement - painless retention leading to incontinence
What is the treatment for cauda equina syndrome?
Surgical decompression within 48 hrs of sphincter dysfunction for good prognosis
What part of the vertebral body is commonly affected by tumours?
Pedicle
What colour is water on T2-weighted MRI?
White
What are the most common cancers found in the spine?
Mets
Lung, breast, kidney, prostate, thyroid
What primary tumour may appear in the spine?
Myeloma
What infections may be present in the spine?
Spondylo-discitis
Epidural abscess
Paravertebral abscess
TB
What are the features of neurological claudication?
Proximal to distal Variable distance Sit to relieve (jelly legs) Relieved in minutes Associated pins and needles, numbness and weakness
What are the features of vascular claudication?
Distal to proximal
Fixed distance
Stand to relieve
Relieved in seconds
What is the management for spinal stenosis?
Physio
Pain relief
Injections
Surgical decompression
What is the conservative/medical management of sciatica?
Short period of bed-rest Analgesics Muscle relaxant eg diazepam Neuromodulating agents eg gabapentin Physio once pain is under control
What surgery may be offered for sciatica?
Mini discectomy
Micro discectomy
What are the features of mechanical pain?
Varies with activity and time
Relieved by rest
What is the management of mechanical back pain?
Conservative with core stabilisation
Bed rest is bad
Aim for return to function ASAP
Simple analgesics and physio
What is referred pain?
Irritation of end place supplies felt in the whole area that the nerve supplies
What is the distinguishing feature of sciatica?
Must go below the knees
If it doesn’t, it is referred pain not sciatica
In the shoulder, if passive movement is greater than active, what does this suggest?
Nerve or tendon injury
What are the common shoulder problems in the 10-30 age group?
Instability
Muscle packing problem
What are the common shoulder problems in the 40-60 age group?
Impingement
Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
Inflammatory Arthropathy
What are the common shoulder problems in 60-80 year olds?
Degenerative cuff tear
Osteoarthritis
Cuff arthropathy
What are the 4 articulations at the shoulder?
Glenohumeral
Sternoclavicular
Acromioclavicular
Scapulothoracic
What is the function of the glenoid labrum?
Increases depth of joint
Increases stability
What is the conjoined tendon?
Coracobrachialis + short head of biceps
What is the main surgical approach to the shoulder?
Deltopectoral
What are the stabilising factors of the shoulder joint?
Labrum Ligaments Capsule Muscles Negative pressure Contact
What is true singing of the scapula?
Long thoracic nerve damage
What is the most common cause of winged scapula?
Muscle imbalance
What is Popeye’s sign?
Rupture or adhesionary tear of biceps tendon
What nerve may be damaged in a posterior shoulder dislocation?
Axillary
How do you palpate the shoulder?
Use 2 fingers
One side at a time
Only palpate the affected shoulder but still look and move both
How do you feel the head of humerus?
Rotate shoulder internally and externally to feel the head moving in the sulcus
What movements do you test at the shoulder?
Forward elevation
Rotation: external and internal
Abduction: with palms facing up
How do you test internal rotation at the shoulder?
Put hands behind back, how high can their thumb reach? Should be mid-thoracic spine for full ROM
How do you test external rotation of the shoulder?
Lock elbows at side
What condition is suggested if both active and passive movements are restricted at the shoulder?
Frozen shoulder
Arthritis
Through what degrees of shoulder abduction is painful arc syndrome?
40-120
How do you test rotator cuff function?
Supraspinatous: abduction
Infraspinatous & teres minor: resist pressure when in full external rotation
Subscapularis: empty beer can
What is the Scarff test?
Put arm across neck
Pain = acromioclavicular joint pain
What are the causes of impingement at the shoulder?
Bursitis
Tendonitis (eg calcific)
Inflammation
Tear
What scoring system is used for hypermobility?
Beighton score
Ligamentous laxity
How do you finish a shoulder examination?
Neurological examination
Examination of cervical spine
What is the main clinical feature of a frozen shoulder?
How is a frozen shoulder managed?
1- NSAIDs, steroid injections
2- MUA, distension, arthrogram
3- leave it alone
Physio may make it worse
How do you manage shoulder impingement?
Physio
Steroid injections
USS/MRI to check for cuff tear
Su acromegaly decompression
How are steroid injections used in impingement syndrome?
Maximum 3
Each 6 weeks apart
Only give 2nd if the first gives sustained benefit
What is a Bankart lesion?
Shoulder dislocation causing tear of the glenoid labrum in the anteroinferior portion
Provides an area for the humeral head to dislocate into
What is a Hill-Sack’s lesion?
Impaction causes fracture of posterior humeral head
What are the common conditions of the elbow in children?
Pulled elbow
Fractures: supracondylar, epicondyles, radial neck
Infection
What are the common elbow conditions in older people?
Lateral epicondylitis
Medial epicondylitis
Osteoarthritis
Fractures: radial head, Olecranon, distal humerus
Nerve entrapment: ulnar, palmar interosseous, median
What do you look for in all MSK examinations?
MRS SAD Muscle wasting Rash Scars Swelling Asymmetry Deformity
Which deformity of elbow alignment is a functional problem?
Valgus - can stretch the ulnar nerve, causing palsy
What is 3-point relation at the elbow?
Olecranon, medial and lateral epicondyles make an isosceles triangle when bent, and a straight line when extended
What movements do you test at the elbow?
Flexion/extension
Supination/pronation, with elbows bent at side
What are the special tests at the elbow?
Golfer’s elbow: flex wrist against resistance, palpate for tenderness
Tennis elbow: extend wrist against resistance, palpate lateral epicondyle for tenderness
Instability: test collateral ligaments
What is the most common elbow dislocation?
Posterolateral
What are the causes of a stiff elbow?
OA
RA
What is the volar surface of the hand?
Palmar surface
What is the relation of the MCPJ of the thumb and those of the other fingers?
Thumb MCPJ is at 90degrees to others
What is the normal resting posture of the hand?
Cascade: little finger is the most flexed at rest
What does a single palmar crease signify?
Simian crease
Seen in down’s and other congenital syndromes
What are Heberden’s nodes?
Swelling and deformity of distal IPJs
Classic of OA
What are the signs of RA in the hands?
Symmetrical swelling
Ulnar deviation of proximal finger joints
What are Dupuytren’s?
Contracture of fibrous bands in palmar fascia
What are the borders of the anatomical snuffbox?
Radial side: extensor pollicis brevis
Ulnar side: extensor pollicis longus + extensor digitorum
What does tenderness in the anatomical snuffbox suggest?
Scaphoid injury
What does tenderness at the tip of the radial styled process suggest?
deQuervain’s disease
= tenovaginitis of combined sheath of EPB and AbPL
What movements do you test in the hand?
Wrist flexion/extension
Ulnar/radial deviation
Pronation/supination
How do you test thumb movements?
Hold patient’s hand flat on the table dorsal surface down
- Stretch to the side (extension)
- Point to the ceiling (abduction)
- Pinch my finger (adduction)
- Touch your little finger (opposition)
How do you test flexor digitorum profundus?
Hold proximal IPJ extended and ask patient to bend finger
How do you test flexor digitorum superficialis?
Inactivate profundus by holding other fingers in extension and ask patient to flex finger to be tested
What are the differences in the tendons of FDS and FDP?
FDS has 4 separate muscle bellies
FDP has 1 belly then splits into 4 tendons
What is the Tonodesis test?
Flex wrist - fingers extend
Extend wrist - fingers flex
How do you test extensor digitorum/indicis?
Make fist and stretch out relevant finger
What is Allen’s test?
Compress both ulnar and radial arteries, get patient to make fist and clench
Open hand out and release first radial artery: how quickly does it go from white to red? Then repeat releasing ulnar first
How do you test interosseous muscle function?
Spread fingers and push little fingers against each other
If one is weaker, that hand’s fingers will collapse
What is Froment’s sign?
Grip card between thumb and index finger
If adductor pollicis is weak, the affected thumb will be flexed to bring FPL into action
Also tests ulnar nerve function
What is Tennell’s test?
Tap halfway between borders of wrist to stimulate median nerve
Causes tingling/shooting in median distribution
What are nerve symptoms?
Tingling Weakness Numbness Pain Muscle wasting Loss of dexterity
How do you test nerve function in children following fracture?
Thumbs up = radial
Make O = anterior interosseous
Cross fingers = ulnar
What is Phalen’s test?
Flex wrist
Causing pain within 1 min = carpal tunnel
What are the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Idiopathic Hypothyroidism Pregnancy Wrist fracture Work-related
What is the first part of the nerve affected when it is compressed?
Myelin, leading to decreased conduction velocity
Where are the majority of ulnar nerve compressions?
Cubical tunnel (elbow)
What digits are affected by ulnar nerve compression?
Ulnar 1.5 fingers
What muscles are affected by ulnar nerve compression?
Intrinsic muscles of hand
Adductor pollicis
FDP
What fracture can cause radial nerve damage?
Humeral shaft
Most commonly lower third of humerus
Where do you check sensory supply of the radial nerve?
1st dorsal webspace
What is the motor supply of the radial nerve?
Wrist extensors
Finger extensors
Extensor pollicis longus
What are the risk factors for Dupuytren’s contractures?
Family history
Alcoholism
Diabetes
Hand trauma
What is the threshold for intervention in Dupuytren’s?
When they can’t get their hand flat on the table
What is trigger finger?
Pulley that holds tendon against bone becomes thickened
Means the tendon gets stuck and doesn’t move smoothly
What is DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis?
Radial sided wrist pain
Swelling and tenderness over styloid
How do you test for flexor tendon injury?
Cascade
Tenodesis test
Squeeze test
FDS and FDP tests