Orthopaedics Flashcards
What is the most common elbow complaint?
Lateral humeral epicondylitis
Lateral epicondylitis -
Prevalence in overall population
1-3% in overall population
- 5-10% are from tennis, However 40-50% of all tennis players experience the condition at some time in their career
- Highest in 30-55 year age group
- It may occur with athletic activities in younger individuals and occupational activities in older patients (screwing, gripping)
What percentage of all cases of lateral humeral epicondylitis is contributed by tennis
5-10%
What percentage of all cases of lateral humeral epicondylitis are attributed to workplace activities?
35-64%
Aetiology(Cause) of lateral humeral epicondylitis?
Reptitive strain issue which leads to microtrauma (of common extensor tendon)
or
could be a blow to the lateral epicondyle that leads to tearing of the enthesis and can cause inflammatory response and pain
Poor circulation, slow healing an further trauma any lead to a chondric lesion with fibroblastic degeneration and ultimately rupture
Which muscle is the most frequently involved with lateral humeral epicondylitis?
Extensor carpi radialis brevis
In the modified cozens test or maudsleys test, what muscle is being tested?
Extensor digitorum
Lateral epicondylitis can be divided into 4 subcategories based on the location of the lesion- Which has a highest incidence rate?
Type II - Tendoperiosteal origin of the ECRB, palpation of the lateral and posterior aspect will be painful
What is the subcategory Type I for LHE?
Type I -
Just proximal to epicondyle i.e tendoperiosteal origin of the ECRL
What is the subcategory Type IV for LHE?
The upper part of the muscle bellies of the ERCB & ECRL
What is the subcategory Type II for LHE?
Type II - Tendoperiosteal origin of the ECRB
Palpation of the lateral and posterior aspect of the epicondyle may also be painful
Explain the numbers within the incidence rate of each type according to Cyriax
Type I - 1%
Type II - 90%
Type III - 1%
Type IV - 8%
Risk factors of Lateral humeral epicondylitis?
Males: Female ratio is Equal
Adults commonly between ages of 30-55 years
Occupation - At risk groups with workers using repititive gripping/pronation-supination actions (carpenters etc)
Athletics (racket and throwing sports)
Signs and Symptoms of Lateral humeral epicondylitis
- Acute onset
- Pain (variable degree) localised to lateral epicondyle and radiating distally variable distace into forearm, soemtimes into 3rd and 4th digits.
Rarely radiates proximally - Tenderness on palpation and on the wrist extensor muscles
Aggrevating factors of Lateral humeral epicondylitis?
- Gripping movements espiecally with elbow fully extended
- Wrist extension
- Elbow extension after periods of immobility in flexion
Reliving factors
- Rest in neutral position and wrist
Most common cause of medial elbow pain?
Medial epicondylitis
Less common (10x) than lateral epicondylitis
Prevelenace of Medial Epicondylitis?
30-50yo
Male-to-female 2:1
Describe the lesion of Medial humeral Epicondylitis
Identical to tennis elbow but affects the medial epicondyle at the site of origin of common FLEXOR muscles
Often referred to as golfer’s elbow, is a condition characterised by pain and inflammation on the inner side of the elbow where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to the medial epicondyle of the humerus.
It typically results from repetitive wrist flexion and gripping activities, leading to micro-tears
What are the Classifications of Medial Humeral Epicondylitis?
Type I
Tendoperiosteal variety -
located at the anterior aspect of the medial epicondyle at the origin of the common flexor tendon
Type II -
Musculotendinous Variety -
Located 5mm below the edge of the epicondyle at the musculoteninous junction
In addition, an Ulnar neuropraxia caused by compression of the ulnar nerve in or around the medial epicondylar groove has been estimated to occur in up to 50% of cases
Signs and Symptoms of Medial humeral Epicondylitis?
- Clinically pain is made worse by use of wrist flexor muscles
- 50% of patients with Medial Epicondylitis complain of occasional or constant numbness and/or tingling sensation that radiates into their 4th an 5th fingers, suggests involvment of ulnar nerve
- Range of motion of the elbow and wrist is uaully within normal limits
With bicep lesions such as strains and ruptures, where is the complain usually located?
90-97% of all bicep ruptures are exclusively involves the long head so pain would be localed on the anterior aspect on the shoulder
What is Bicipital tendinitis
Inflammation or irritation of the biceps tendon, usually due to repetitive use, overloading
It typically causes pain, tenderness, and swelling in the front of the shoulder, which worsens with movement or lifting
Signs and Symptoms of Biceps rupture?
Sudden pain in the anterior shoulder during activity. This acute pain, frequently described as sharp in nature, may be accompanied by an audible pop or a percieved snapping sensation
Others may report experiencing recurrent pain while performing overhead or reptitive activites
Discuss the major impairment within bicep ruptures
Limitations due to pain during the acute phase,
but impairment ultimately relates to a decrease in strength during shoulder flexion, elbow extension and forearm supination
Distal ruptures also initially result in pain followed by reduced strength in supination, elbow flexion and grip strength
Epidemiology of biceps rupture?
M/C in 40-60 yo with a history of shoulder problems, secondary to chronic wear of the tendon
Younger individuals may rupture the biceps tendon from a traumatic fall, during heavy weightlifting or during sporting activities
More common in men to suffer from bicep ruptures than women d/t occupational and recreational activities.
Dominant arm being primarily involved (overuse)
What is a biceps rupture caused by?
Generally caused by insidious inflammation from subacromial impingment and may be the result of chronic microtrauma. Repeated insults often lead to fraying of the tendon
Tendon rupture d/t chronic inflammation can occur in rheumatoid arthritis
Excessive loading and rapid stress upon the tendon, such as weightlifting, often causes an acute tendon ruptures
Explain Painful Arc Syndrome/Subacromial Impingment syndrome
Compromise of the space between the coracoacromial arch and the proximal humerus.
What percentage does SAPS account for within shoulder pain?
65-85%
Demographic within subacromial Impingement syndrome?
Not restricted to one population: athletes, repetitive activity & elderly
Recovery time from SAPS?
- Natural history is often prolonged with no spontaneous recovery with 18 months
Causes of Impingement Syndrome
Most common causes: rotator cuff tendinitis/tendinosis/tendinopathy.
- Additional reasons: injury to the subacromial bursa, AC joint, or biceps tendon.