shoulder and elbow problems Flashcards
what is the likely cause of an upper limb fracture in a young person
a high energy injury
what is the most likely cause of an upper limb fracture in old people
osteoporosis related
in which direction does the shoulder joint normally dislocate
anteriorly
if the shoulder joint has dislocated posteriorly, what should you consider
epilepsy or electrocution
why are re-dislocations common
often the dislocation results in the tear of the acetabulum and this usually helps stabilise the shoulder joint
how are shoulder dislocations treated
1) manipulation
2) immobilisation
3) physiotherapy
4) surgery
(MIPS)
what is subacromial impingement
this is when there is a decrease in volume or an increase in size of the contents in the subacromial space (between the acromion of the scapula and the head of the humerus
what are the clinical signs of subacromial impingement
pain when moving the arm out to the side and up
name some anatomical causes of subacromial impingement
the acromion of the scapula digging down, the degeneration of the rotator cuff muscles (causes the head of the humerus to deviate superiorly)
what is the treatment of subacromial impingement
steroid injection to the subacromial space, physiotherapy or arthroscopic subacromial decompression
what is the proper term for frozen shoulder
adhesive capsulitis
describe the development of adhesive capsulitis
acutely painful shoulder that over time becomes stiff (active and passive movement declines)
what is the most common movement to be lost first in adhesive capsulitis
external rotation of the shoulder joint
why would some people carry out an x-ray in adhesive capsulitis
to rule out osteoporosis (normally there would be no radiographic changes)
how long does it take for a frozen shoulder to heal
18-24 months
what treatment can be given for a frozen shoulder if it presents early
steroid injection
what is the main function of the rotator cuff muscles
stabilising the shoulder joint
where do tears of the rotator cuff muscles usually occur
where the bone meets the muscle
what is the treatment of acute rotator cuff muscle tear
early surgery (the tendon will retract further the longer it is left)
name some types of shoulder arthritis
post-traumatic, inflammatory, osteoarthritis
what is the best way of measuring the joint space in the glenoid cavity
an axillary x-ray
what nerve is affected in carpal tunnel syndrome
median nerve
what nerve is affected in cubical tunnel syndrome
ulnar nerve
what nerve is affected in Saturday night palsy
radial nerve
where is the pain in Golfer’s elbow
medial epicondyle of the humerus
where is the pain in Tennis elbow
lateral epicondyle of the humerus
what is the treatment for Tennis and golfers elbow
platelet rich plasma (steroid injections do not help)
