Shoulder and Elbow Problems

Question 1

What are the most common shoulder and elbow problems for the different age groups?

Answer 1

• Teens/20s: Fractures and instability
• 30s/40s: Rotator cuff and capulitis
• 50s/60s: Impingement and AC joint
• 70s +: Degenerative rotator cuff and

Question 2

What is the most common type of traumatic shoulder dislocation?

Answer 2

• Anterior: 90%

- (Posterior 9% and inferior 1%)

Question 3

What are the management options for shoulder dislocations?

Answer 3

• Manipulation
• Immobilisation
• Physio
• Surgery

Question 4

What is the definition of subacromial impingement?

Answer 4

Pain and dysfunction resulting from any pathology which decreases the volume of the subacromial space or increases the size of the contents

Question 5

What are the management options for subacromial impingement?

Answer 5

• Subacromial steroid injection
• Physio
• Arthroscopic subacromial decompression

Question 6

What is the normal progression of frozen shoulder?

Answer 6

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Unthawing

Question 7

What are the two main causes of rotator cuff tears?

Answer 7

• Traumatic

- Degenerative

Question 8

What is the treatment of rotator cuff tears?

Answer 8

• Acute: surgery

- Chronic: surgery if symptomatic

Question 9

What is superior capsular reconstruction used for and how does it work?

Answer 9

• Massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears

- Cadaveric skin graft to reconstruct capsule (not tendon)

Question 10

What are the common elbow injuries?

Answer 10

• Young: fractures and dislocations
• Middle age: tendinopathies
• Elderly: degenerative disease
• Cubital tunnel syndrome

Question 11

What is the difference between Golfer’s and Tennis elbow?

Answer 11

• Golfer’s Elbow: area of pain is on the inside of the elbow

- Tennis elbow: area of pain is on the outside of the forearm