Shoulder Flashcards
Name 8 red flags in the shoulder
Non-traumatic acute pain
Trauma+acute pain+weakness = (possible cuff tear)
Visceral masqueraders
Avascular necrosis of humeral head
Systemic/local infection - (fever, malaise)
Systemic inflammatory disease
Malignancy - (sweats, night pain, unwell, weight loss, obvious mass/swelling)
Unreduced dislocation
What causes rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP)?
Loading alterations;
- Dominance - occurs in the dominant arm
- Occupation and sports with high loading rate
- Unloading
What factors increase the risk of getting RCPSP?
Aging >50 increases risk of tears Genetics Vascular changes (limited blood flow) Metabolic syndrome/obesity/ smoking/alcohol
Name reasons why unloading causes RCRSP?
Poor muscle control
Weakness
Inhibition
Acromio-humeral space reduction - kyphotic
Describe the pathology of rotator cuff tendinopathy (RC).
- Inflammatory event
- Tendon swells
- Disrupted matrix with collagen breakdown
- Increased tenocyte death (apoptosis)
- Neovascularity & nerve ingrowth (these blood vessels are very permeable - its part of the
- May get calcification (of the tendon)
- Chondrometaplasia (fibrocartilage in matrix) (it should be a soft matrix)
- Can develop partial or full thickness tears
- Degradation of muscle fibres
What tendon is most commonly affected with RC tendinopathy?
Supraspinatus with or without subacromial bursa involvement
How would you test for RC tendinopathy (objective test)?
Neer Hawkins-Kennedy Pain with empty can/full can (Jobe test) Painful arc 70-120 degrees Painful resisted lateral rotation
What is the clinical presentation (history, MOI, subjective features) of RC tendinopathy?
MOI: Sudden onset after overhead activity
Subjective Features: Pain localised deep in shoulder and spreading over deltoid region
Pain on overhead activity
Night/constant pain – suspect bursa
What are common capacity and functional impairments of RC tendinopathy?
Weakness and painful abduction and lateral/external rotation
Unable to perform overhead activities/lie on shoulder
Outline the difference between an irritable and non-irritable RC tendinopathy?
Irritable - Night pain, Constant pain, even at rest, Ongoing, Bursa
Non-irritable - Catching (when reaching behind their head etc.), Full range but painful, Sleep ok, +/- sport (they may be able to play sport but not at their original frequency)
What imaging devices are used to diagnose RC tendinopathy?
Ultrasound (for viewing tendons), MRI
With partial RC tears how do they present and in what population are they most commonly seen in?
Present similar to tendinopathy and are managed similarly
Common in the older population
What are some symptoms of a full tendon tear?
Sudden loss of strength (which is confirmed with resisted testing) and inability to actively raise arm, pain free passive range
What is the aim in early stage irritable RC tendinopathy management? How would you manage early-stage irritable RC tendinopathy?
Aim= control tenocyte overactivity (there may also be inflammation of the bursa)
Management: ice/NSAIDs, taping to overload, reduce aggravating activities, identify movement faults such as poor control of scapula when in lateral rotation, isometric internal and external rotation while respecting the 24hr response of the tendon
How would you progress an isometric exercise programme in early stage of irritable RC tendinopathy?
Begin isometric exercises in supine and progress to a 45 degree angle and eventually to overhead isometrics. Its more likely that after 6 weeks patient will be able to move onto external rotation
How would you manage early-stage non-irritable RC tendinopathy?
Isotonic – 3x week or day on/off Low range to high range progression Short lever to long lever Progressive resistance and speed Focus on external rotation load -Supported/unsupported/prone/ side lying Add function - do not avoid provocative positions Monitor pain 3-4/10 and 24hr response
When should adjuncts be used with RC tendinopathy? What are these adjuncts?
If the tendon quality is low (in older people). However the surrounding tendons can be strengthed
Exercise for 12weeks+ has the same outcome as surgery.
Corticosteroid injections - for pain relief and to reduce chronic inflammation. Ice or heat before or after exercise. Nitroglycerine patches to improve collagen formation
Are chronic/partial tears irritable or non-irritable?
Non-irritable
What is the most important thing to remember about management of RCT?
Dyskinesia of the scapula exists in asymptomatic population so the most important thing is to focus on rotator cuff activation
What structures are damaged in a shoulder dislocation?
Capsule, labrum, glenohumeral ligaments (as extensions of the capsule), articular surface (head of the humerus), bone
Under what mechanisms can the shoulder dislocate?
Abduction/external rotation under force. Anterior dislocation (most common)
Posterior dislocations do not occur due to the protective nature of the shoulder
What are the different dislocation types in the shoulder?
Sub-coracoid - hyper-lateral rotation in abduction
Subclavicular - falling backward onto hand
Subglenoid - hyperabduction
Intrathoracic
What are the subjective symptoms of dislocation?
Feeling of popping out, pain, paraesthesia into arm due to compromise to neural structures
What are the objective symptoms of dislocation?
A visible gap lateral to the acromion
Inability to move the arm
X-ray confirmation