Orthopaedics - Wrist and Hand Flashcards
What is the most common carpal bone to be fractured?
Scaphoid
What demographic are scaphoid fractures most common in?
Men aged 20-30 years
Why is the scaphoid at risk of AVN after a fracture?
It recieves blood supply in a retrograde fashion - from the distal end to proximal
What are the clinical features of a scaphoid fracture?
Hx of high energy trauma Tenderness in the anatomical snuffbox Sudden onset wrist pain Bruising Pain on palpation of scaphoid tubercle Pain on telescoping of ipsilateral thumb
What are the DDx of radial wrist pain following trauma?
Scaphoid fracture Distal radial fracture Fracture of other carpal bone Fracture of base of 1st MC Ulnar collateral ligament injury
What investigation is used for a scaphoid fracture?
X Ray of the hand - scaphoid series (has anteroposterior, lateral and oblique views)
What should be done if there is high clinical suspicion of a scaphoid fracture but negative imaging?
Wrist immobilisation in a thumb splint
Repeat plain radiographs in 10-14 days
–> if still negative then MRI wrist
What is the management of an undisplaced scaphoid fracture?
Immobilisation with a thumb splint
What is the management for a displaced scaphoid fracture?
Percutaneous variable pitched screw
What are the complications arising from scaphoid fractures?
AVN Non union (due to poor blood supply)
What are the three most common distal radial fracture types?
Colle’s (90%)
Smith’s
Barton’s
In what way do distal radial fractures often occur?
FOOSH
Describe a Colle’s fracture
Extra articular fracture of distal radius with dorsal angulation and displacement - within 2cm of articular surface
By definition also includes avulsion fracture of ulnar styloid
Describe a Smith’s fracture
Extra articular fracture of the distal radius with volar angulation +/- displacement
Describe a Barton’s fracture
Intra-articular fracture of the distal radius with associated dislocation of the radio-carpal joint
(can be volar or dorsal)
What are the risk factors for osteoporosis?
- Increasing age
- Female
- Early Menopause
- Smoking
- Alcohol excess
- Prolonged steroid use
Which nerves should be assessed as part of a NV examination in distal radius fractures?
Median
Anterior interosseous
Ulnar
Radial
What are the main Ddx for distal radial fractures?
Forearm fracture
Carpal bone fracture
Tendonitis or tenosynovitis
Wrist dislocation
What are the measurements used on an X-Ray for a distal radial fracture?
Radial height <11cm
Radial inclination <22º
Radial (volar) tilt >11º
What is the management of a displaced distal radial fracture?
Closed reduction - needs sufficient traction and MUA
How may a distal radial fracture be restricted for healing?
Below-elbow backstab
Surgical intervention using ORIF, K wire or external fixation
Why are X-Rays repeated one week after placement in a backstab?
To assess for any displacement
What are the main complications of a distal radial fracture?
Malunion
Median nerve compression
Osteoarthritis
What measurement of the radoiocarpal joint gives indication for surgical correction?
Intra articular step or radoiocarpal joint >2mm
What is ‘trigger finger’?
Stenosing flexor tenosynovitis
Causes the finger or thumb to click or lock in flexion
What conditions is trigger finger associated with?
Rheumatoid arthritis
Amyloidosis
Diabetes mellitus
What is the pathophysiology of trigger finger?
- Finger tenosynovitis leading to inflammation of the tendon and sheath
- Nodal formation at the tendon, distal to the pulley
- Flexion causes the node to move proximal to the pulley, after which it cannot pass back causing the locking
What are the main risk factors for development of trigger finger?
Occupation/hobby with prolonged gripping and use of hand RA DM Female Increasing age
What is the typical description of a presentation of trigger finger?
Painless clicking or snapping when extending the finger (can develop pain over time - especially volar aspect)
What are the DDx for trigger finger?
Dupuytren’s contracture
Acromegaly
Infection of the tendon sheath
Ganglion of a tendon sheath
What investigations are indicated for trigger finger?
Clinical diagnosis - investigations may only be needed to rule out DDx
What is the management of a mild trigger finger?
Conservative - advice on activities causing pain and small splint
Steroid injections may be trialled