Musculoskeletal Flashcards
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome S/S
- Aching pain radiates to FA
- Paresthesia in median distribution
- Nocturnal paresthesia
- Muscle weakness/atrophy (longstanding)
Carpal Tunnel Sensory exam
- Radial: Volar thumb
- Ulnar: 5th finger
- Median: 1st dorsal web space
Carpal tunnel motor exam
- Radial: wrist extension
- Ulnar: Hand intrinsics
- Median: Opposition thumb and 5th finger
Phalen’s Test
- Wrist in max flexion for 30-60sec
- Paresthesia in median distribution
- Thumb, index, long finger, radial border of ring finger
Tinel’s Sign
- tap over transverse carpal ligament, wrist in extension
* tingling in median distribution
Carpal tunnel Tx
- NSAIDs
- Reduce repetitive motions
- Ergonomics
- Wrist splint at night
- Steroid injection
- Surgery
Lateral tendinosis (Tennis elbow) S/S
- pain over epicondyle and back of forearm
- Lifting with palm down increases pain
- may or may not be swelling
Tennis elbow treatment
- NSAIDs (2wk)
- Counterforce brace
- Ice/Heat
- Wrist splint
- Short or long arm cast
- Isometric toning exercise
- Steroid injection
Impingement syndrome S/S
- Painful overhead ROM
- Impingement and inflammation of rotator cuff and bursa b/n humerus and lateral structures
- gradual onset of anterolateral pain that may radiate to elbow or hand
- crepitus and pain through 60-120 abduction arc
- ## Nocturnal symptoms
Neer Test
1) Stabilize scapula
2) Passively flex arm
3) Pain is positive sign
Hawkin’s Test
1) Stabilize scapula
2) Abduct shoulder to 90-degrees
3) Internally flex shoulder to 30-degrees
4) flex elbow to 90-degrees
5) Internally rotate elbow
6) Pain is a positive test
Impingement Tx
- NSAIDs (14d)
- Rest from offending activity
- Subacromial injection
- PT
- consider referral
Cervical spine vs. shoulder vs radiculopathy
- Cervical Disk Dz: More comfortable with hand on head
- Intrinsic shoulder Dz: More comfortable with arm at side
- Radicular neck and arm pain/paresthesia:
- C5=base of neck & lateral shoulder
- C6=thumb and radial arm
- C7=Index/long fingers and triceps
- C8=Ring/little fingers and ulnar arm
Spurling Test
- Extend neck and tilt to each side
- Neck pain is not a positive sign
- Pain or paresthesia in shoulder/arm suggests radiculopathy
Rotator cuff tear S/S
- More common >40yo
- 95% 2/t impingement
- Night pain with inability to turn to affected side
- Weakness with overhead activity
- Pain/weakness in 60-120 abduction arc
- PROM > AROM
- Tenderness over greater tuberosity
Drop arm test (Supraspinatus)
1) Abduct arms to 90-degrees
2) internally flex shoulders to 30-degrees
3) Internally rotate shoulder until thumbs point down
4) Inability to hold arms up is a positive test
Other tests for rotator cuff tear
- Empty can test (supraspinatus)
- Push off test (Subscapularis)
- flexed elbows abduction vs. resistance (teres minor and infraspinatus)
Rotator Cuff Tx
- Minor tears=no Tx
- Avoid offending activity
- PT
- NSAIDs, APAP, tramadol (controversy about NSAIDs)
- Subacromial injection
- Surgery (complete tears)
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) S/S
- Insidious onset of decreased AROM and PROM
- Contracture of joint capsule
Frozen Shoulder Tx
- Avoid immobilization
- NSAIDs
- Analgesic injections (reduce pain for PT)
- PT
- Manipulation under anesthesia
- Arthroscopic capsular release
Stenosing Tenosynovitis (Trigger finger) S/S
- Inflammation of flexor tendon sheath at the A1 pulley (Often thumb, ring, and long fingers)
- Risk: DM, RA, >40yo
- Pain and catching with finger flexion
- Tenderness at metacarpal head
- May awaken with finger “locked”
Trigger finger Tx
- Splint finger in extension 10-14d
- NSAID’s
- Restrict gripping and pinching
- Buddy taping
- Steroid injection
- Surgery
Osteoarthritis of Hand S/S
- DIP and PIP joints most often involved with bony nodules
- Stiffness and loss of motion
- MCP less commonly involved
RA of hand S/S
- MCP and wrist most commonly involved
- Morning pain and extended stiffness
- Fusiform swelling of multiple joints
- Synovitis may be associated with tendon rupture