Shoulder Flashcards
What is a shoulder separation and its mechanism of injury?
It is a sprain of the AC joint
mechanism of injury = a fall onto point of shoulder with the arm adducted (FOOSH), which drives acromion/scapula downward
What other injuries may occur along with a shoulder separation/AC joint sprain?
Associated glenohumeral injuries (i.e. SLAP lesion)
What provides anteroposterior and superior-inferior stability in the AC joint?
anteroposterior stability = capsule and acromioclavicular ligaments
superior-inferior stability = coracoclavicular ligaments
What can diagnose/determine a shoulder separation? (4)
(1) history/mechanism of injury
(2) local tenderness (i.e. AC tenderness or Paxinos Test)
(3) abduction and horizontal adduction may be painful (they load the joint)
(4) degree of deformity at AC joint
What are the features/presentation of an AC sprain grade 1? (5)
(1) minimal structure damage
(2) sprain of AC ligament
(3) locally tender
(4) no displacement
(5) full ROM
What treatments would you use for an AC sprain grade 1?
pain relief/sling, early shoulder ROM, and strengthening (i.e. trapezius, deltoid, rotator cuff, and scapular muscles)
Return to sports as tolerated and with normal ROM/strength
What are the features/presentation of an AC sprain grade 2? (7)
(1) subluxation of AC joint
(2) sprain of coracoclavicular and AC ligaments
(3) deltoid and trapezius muscles may be affected
(4) structural weakness
(5) detectable instability with stress testing (i.e. paxinos test and piano key)
(6) may have palpable step deformity
(7) initial swelling with later ecchymosis
What treatment/management would you use for an AC sprain grade 2?
Sling with modalities for pain relief, progressive ROM and strengthening that’s pain free, return to sport in 3 weeks (structural healing time = 6 weeks)
What are the features/presentation of an AC sprain grade 3? (5)
(1) dislocation of the AC joint
(2) complete disruption of the AC capsule
(3) 3rd degree sprain of AC and CC ligaments
(4) deltoid and trapezius muscles torn form distal end of clavicle
(5) obvious step deformity
How is an AC sprain grade 3 managed and treated?
Either non-operative (most favor this…deformity remains but has normal function) or surgery (stabilization to coracoid)
Treat the same as grade 2 with return to sport at 6 weeks
What is a SICK scapula?
Scapular malposition
Inferior medial border prominence
Coracoid pain and malposition
and disKineses of scapular movement
What is scapular dyskinesis?
It’s the alteration of the normal position or motion of the scapula
What are the symptoms of a SICK scapula? (3)
(1) anterior shoulder pain
(2) posterior/superior scapular pain
(3) superior AC pain
What are burners and stingers? What is their mechanism of injury?
They are nerve injuries resulting from trauma to the neck and shoulder region
mechanism of injury = shoulder depression and cervical side flexion from a direct blow
What are the symptoms of a burner/stinger? What portion of the brachial plexus is most invovled?
Symptoms = transient weakness of shoulder musculature/UE paresthesia
Brachial Plexus involvement = upper trunk (C5-C6)
What are the basic classifications of GH dislocations? (2)
(1) traumatic vs. atraumatic
(2) acute vs. recurrent
What is the most common type of GH instability and is it most common in traumatic or atraumatic dislocations?
Anterior instability = most common type
95% of traumatic dislocations are anterior dislocations
What provides stability to the GH joint? (5)
(1) joint geometry
(2) capsule/ligaments
(3) negative intra-articular forces
(4) dynamic compressive forces/neuromuscular control
(5) passive and active restraints
In what positions (abducted or adducted) do the superior and inferior capsular structures of the glenohumeral ligament provide stabilization?
inferior capsular structures = abducted positions
superior capsular structures = adducted positions
With anterior instability, which aspects of the capsule will be injured? What concept is this?
Both the anterior and posterior aspects of the capsule will be injured
This is the circle concept
What are the 2 mechanisms of injury for an anterior dislocation?
(1) excessive forces which push the arm into abduction, external rotation, and extension
(2) direct blow to posterior shoulder, forcing the humerus out in an anterior-inferior direction adjacent to the coracoid process
What injury may occur with an anterior dislocation that occurs in an anterior-inferior direction?
A Bankart Lesion (anteroinferior glenoid labrum avulsion)
What’s the mechanism of injury for a posterior dislocation? (2)
(1) blow to anterior shoulder
(2) fall on outstretched arm that is flexed, adducted, and IR
In what type of dislocation does spontaneous reduction typically occur? Why?
Posterior dislocation because the muscle tension of the rotator cuff muscles reduces the humeral head
What is the presentation of an anterior GH joint dislocation?
intense pain, apprehension, possible tingling and numbness down the arm, and abnormal contours of the shoulder
What is important to include during an exam of an individual with an anterior GH joint dislocation? (3)
(1) sensation (axillary nerve or musculocutaneous and median nerves)
(2) strength (may be difficult to assess due to pain)
(3) peripheral circulation