MSK: Common Conditions Of The Hand And Wrist Flashcards
Give a brief description of Colles’ fracture.
A Colles’ fracture is a fracture of the distal radius in the forearm with dorsal (posterior) and radial displacement of the wrist and hand.
The fracture is sometimes referred to as a “dinner fork” deformity due to the shape of the resultant forearm. Colles’ fractures are often seen in people with osteoporosis.
Give a brief description of Smith’s fracture.
A Smith’s fracture, also sometimes known as a reverse Colles’ fracture, is a fracture of the distal radius. The difference is the distal fracture fragment is displaced ventrally, as opposed to a Colles’ fracture which the fragment is displaced dorsally.
Give a brief description of rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the defenses that normally protect the body from infection instead damage normal tissue (such as cartilage and ligaments) and can soften bone.
It is symmetrical, meaning that it usually affects the same joint on both sides of the body.
Give a brief description of Osteoarthritis.
Arthritis is a general term that means inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis, commonly known as wear and tear arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis. It is associated with a breakdown of cartilage in joints and can occur in almost any joint in the body. It commonly occurs in the weight-bearing joints of the hips, knees, and spine.
Give a brief description of Herberden’s node.
Heberden’s nodes are hard or bony swellings that can develop in the distal interphalangeal joints (DIP) (the joints closest to the end of the fingers and toes). They are a sign of osteoarthritis and are caused by formation of osteophytes (calcific spurs) of the articular (joint) cartilage in response to repeated trauma at the joint.
Give a brief description of scaphoid fracture.
A scaphoid fracture is the most common type of carpal bone fracture.
Give a brief description of 5th metacarpel (Boxer’s) fracture.
Classically, the fracture occurs transversely across the neck of the bone, after the patient strikes an object with a closed fist
Give a brief description of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
It is a tenosynovitis of the sheath or tunnel that surrounds two tendons that control movement of the thumb
Repeating a particular motion day after day may irritate the sheath around the two tendons, causing thickening and swelling that restricts their movement.
Give a brief description of carpal tunnel syndrome.
The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are caused by squashing (compression) of the median nerve at the wrist.
Give a brief description of compression of the ulnar nerve in Guyon’s canal.
Guyon’s canal syndrome is an entrapment of the ulnar nerve as it passes through a tunnel in the wrist called Guyon’s canal. This problem is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome but involves a completely different nerve.
Symptoms usually begin with a feeling of pins and needles in the ring and little fingers. This may progress to a burning pain in the wrist and hand followed by decreased sensation in the ring and little fingers.
Give a brief description of dupuytrens contracture.
Dupuytren disease is a benign condition which causes a tightening of the flesh beneath the skin of the palm and can result in permanently bent fingers. There is a genetic risk, although it may skip several generations. It is more common in seniors and in those doing heavy manual labor. The end result of Dupuytren disease is the bent finger deformity called Dupuytren contracture.
Give a brief description of reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
A rare disorder of the sympathetic nervous system that is characterized by chronic, severe pain.
The symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome typically begin with burning pain, especially in an arm, fingers, palm of the hands.
