Orthopaedics Unit 4 Flashcards
what is an enthesopathy
inflammation of a muscle origin
possible to have multiple inflammations at one point causing many aches and pains
what is golfer’s elbow
inflammation of origin of the flexor muscles of the forearm at the medial epicondyle
what is tennis elbow
inflammation of origin of the extensor muscles of the forearm at the lateral epicondyle
what are features of enthesopathies
may arise spontaneously but mostly commonly associated with repetitive movements or overuse
most recover spontaneously with rest
Tx for an enthesopathy that becomes chronic or severe
NSAID
local steroid injections [have to ensure steroid is injected into the enthesis with no leaked into subcut fat or skin, as this would exacerbate pain]
what is the surgery for enthesopathies in severe cases
scraping the origin of the muscle from the bone and permitting it to slide distally thus “decompressing” the area
[although patients should be encourage to wait as, spontaneous recovery is likely]
what is neuropraxia
continued pressure that has lead to atrophy of the nerve
takes a long time to recover and can be permanent
what are the 2 types of nerve entrapments
1) extrinsic
- i.e. LOC and patient presses on a nerve or patients in bed or plaster casts
- most common site is common peroneal nerve as it winds around the head of the fibula
2) intrinsic
- causes by structural local anatomical variations or inflammatory swelling
where are common sites of intrinsic nerve entrapments
median nerve at the wrist
ulnar nerve at the elbow
ulnar nerve at the wrist
posterior tibial nerve at the ankle
Sx for nerve entrapments
numbness
tingling
weakness
sensory loss
Ix = nerve conduction study
Mx for nerve entrapments
need to reduce pressure
surgical relief of pressure may be required
- cutting skin and fascia
what is tenosynovitis and what is it associated with
Inflammation of tendons and their associated synovial sheaths
associated with RA
when does tenosynovitis occur spontaneously
usually it is precipitated by unusual levels of activity, or overuse
what is a bursa
small sac of fibrous tissue lined with synovial membrane and filled with fluid
what is the function of a bursa
natural form of “bearing” aimed at improving muscle and joint function
reduces friction, usually where tendons and ligaments pass over bones
new ones can form in response to pressure
what causes inflammation of a bursa
repetitive movement or strain, or from being subject to abnormal loads
where are the most common sites of bursitis
knee
elbow
shoulder
greater trochanter at the hip
Sx of bursitis
chronic discomfort over the bursa, associated with causative elements such as movement or pressure
swelling of the bursa
what is housemaid’s knee
swelling of pre-patellar bursa
what are Sx of an infection of the bursa
tense swelling associated with infection of the skin (cellulitis) and general ill health (malaise).
Tx for chronic bursae
need no Tx unless patient demands so
if tender, may be excised
Tx for infected bursae
incised and drained
- leads to spontaneous recovery through scarring and fibrosis
features of a painful spasmodic flat foot
associated with infection or chronic inflammatory disease
can occur acutely in middle age
- o/e painful and tender swelling over tibialis posterior insertion
- may indicate acute or impending degenerative rupture
- warrants early intervention
if a flat foot in an adult is associated with pain, what is a possible Tx
a medial heel lift
- will correct the deformity of the hind part of the foot and stabilise the medial arch.
if a flat foot in an adult is associated with PERSISTENT pain, what is a possible Tx
fusion of subtalar joint
- will disturb foot and ankle profoundly
what are bunions
fluid filled bursae found around bone prominences
commonly over the distal part of the 1st metatarsal and occasionally over the 5th
Tx of bunions
form as a natural response to pressure from underling abnormality
- Tx this
if bunion becomes infected
- drainage
what are corns and what is the Tx
painful corny skin formed in response to high pressure
Tx
- can be removed
- need to Tx underling cause and remove cause of high pressure
what is hallux valgus
turning away of the phalanges of the big toe from the mid-line
what is hallux rigidus
OA of the metatarsophalangeal joint