Orthopaedic Examination, Diagnosis and Treatment Flashcards
What is trigger finger?
“Locking” of ROM during finger flexion from adhesions
in flexor tendon sheaths that presents with pain on the volar side of the MCP joint.
Tendon “release” often presents as an audible “snap” as finger moves into flexion
Trigger Finger
In this, an inflamed nodule of tendon gets trapped behind/underneath tendon sheath, and finger becomes stuck in flexed position and may be swollen initially
Treated: NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections (successful usually), and then surgical release
How do finger sprains present?
Commonly presents with localized tenderness/swelling, may see echymosis on the volar aspect with swelling of the digit
- Volar plate should be intact
- Treat with splint for 4-6 weeks (only immobilize joint of interest)
What is Mallet Finger?
Avulsion of extensor tendon from distal phalanx, inability to
actively extend DIP joint (passive OK), commonly occurs if
fingertip hits ball
Mallet finger
cant extend DIP of the involved finger
What is Jersey Finger?
Avulsion of profundus tendon from distal phalanx, inability to
actively flex DIP joint if PIP joint stabilized, commonly occurs
when grabbing jersey and joint forcefully extended against
active motion
What are these?
Finger Dislocations
Reduce, then splint normally
What is DeQuervain’s Syndrome?
Tenosynovitis of extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus tendons from repetitive stress (radial deviation).
How does DeQuervian’s Syndrome present?
Presents with pain/swelling to proximal thumb/ distal radius, pain with radial/ulnar wrist deviation and thumb extension and abduction.
Treatment: immobilization, NSAIDs
Extensor Pollicus Brevis- injured in DeQuervian’s Syndrome
What are the most common fractures of the wrist?
- Colles fracture (distal radius) and Smith fracture (distal radius)
- Scaphoid fracture
Bones of the Hand
Wrist Bones
One of the most common causes of wrist fracture is falling on an outstretched hand. What are some risk fatcors that make a fall more likely to result in fratcure?
Older individuals:
osteoporosis, smoking, calcium and/or vitamin D deficiency
Common Wrist Fractures
Immediate swelling after injury suggest what?
Either blood enters the joint or a ligament tare
Late swelling suggests a MCL or cartilage structure without good blood supply
What is this test designed to diagnose?
Finkelstein’s Test- pull the thumb into the palm, thendeviate
DeQuervian’s Syndrome
When is a CT scan indicated for a musculoskeltal injury?
When injuries to soft tissue, blood vessels, fracture alignment, or articular invovlement are suspected
When is an MRI indicated for a musculoskeltal injury?
when ligament injuries or injuries to small bones in the wrist (e.g. scaphoid fracture) are suspected
What are some potential complications of unaddressed distal radial fractures?
- arthritis/arthrosis
- loss of motion
- osteomyelitis
- Nerve compression/neuritis
etc.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Compression of the median nerve at the wrist in carpal tunnel where thickening from irritate tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and entrapment neuropathy is seen
What forms the top of the carpal tunnel?
The transverse carpal ligament
Where is median nerve entrapment from carpal tunnel felt?
burning, tingling in the radial aspect of palmar surface skin, index and middle finger, half the ring ringer, and the nail bed of these fingers
and symptoms are worse at night due to the wrist being flexed during sleep
some patients might feel like the wrsit is swollen even though it is not