Shoulder, elbow, wrist + hand Flashcards
Describe the anatomy of the shoulder
Bones:
AC joint: acromion of scapula w clavicle
GH (shoulder) joint: glenoid cavity of scapula w humerus
-Deepened by glenoid labrum (increase contact)
Bursae Ligaments eg. GH, CA, CH Muscles: rotator muscles + tendons -Supraspinatus -Suprascapularis -Subscapularis -Teres minor
Describe the types of shoulder dislocation
Described based on location of humeral head relative to glenoid cavity
Anterior: most common. Extension + lateral flexion injury
Posterior
Inferior
What nerve injury may result from shoulder dislocation?
Axillary nerve injury -> parasthesia/anaesthesia over ‘regimental badge’ area
Describe the aetiology of shoulder dislocation
2 peaks: young M and older F
Young: high-impact eg sports
Old: falls, blows
Describe the movements of the shoulder in relation to the muscles of the shoulder
Abduction: -First 15˚: supraspinatus ->15˚: deltoid Flexion: biceps Extension: triceps Internal rotation: subscapularis External rotation: infraspinatus + teres minor
Describe the presentation of shoulder dislocation
- Pain following traumatic incident
- Characteristic posturing
- Anterior: externally rotated + abducted
- Posterior: internally rotated + adducted
- Decreased movement + pain with movement
Describe the common shoulder fractures and mechanism of injury
Clavicle fracture: common. Fall on shoulder/ outstretched hand
Scapular: uncommon. High speed RTA
Humeral: eg surgical neck. Blow/fall on hand.
Describe the management of shoulder fractures
Clavicle:
-Sling immobilisation or surgical
Scapula:
-Conservative: rest, analgesia, physio
Humeral:
-Surgical
Describe the complications of humeral fractures depending on their location
Surgical neck:
- Damage to axillary N and posterior circumflex A
- > numbness over regimental badge, difficulty with abduction
Mid-shaft:
- Damage to radial N + profunda brachii A
- > wrist drop, numbness over dorsum of hand
Supracondylar (above epicondyles)
- Damage to brachial A + median/radial/ulnar N
- > ischaemia -> Volkmann’s ischaemic contracture (hand)
Describe the different types of rotator cuff pathology
- Tears: traumatic (eg w dislocation)
- Tendonitis: chronic
- Subacromial bursitis
- Impingement: occurs w age
Describe the presentation of rotator cuff pathology
-Shoulder pain: worse with overhead activity
+/- traumatic event
-Decreased movement/weakness
Describe the signs of rotator cuff pathology on examination
- Pain on movement esp abduction, int + ext rotation
- Weakness (full thickness tears)
- Specific tests for individual muscles:
1. Empty can test: supraspinatus
2. Ext rotation test: infraspinatus
3. Lift off test: subscapularis
4. Belly press test: subscapularis - Impingement tests: Neer + Hawkins- pain elicited
Describe the management of rotator cuff pathology
Conservative: acute not suitable for surgery, chronic
- Rest, ice, stretching + physio
- NSAIDs
Surgical: acute + fit for surgery, chronic non-responsive
Describe the management of shoulder dislocation
- Assess for neurovascular compromise
- Analgesia
- Reduction under sedation eg. propofol
- Sling for 3-4 weeks
- Physio
Define adhesive capsulitis
Adhesive capsulitis AKA frozen shoulder is a condition characterised by pain + reduced ROM in the shoulder
Describe the epidemiology + RFs of adhesive capsulitis
- Not very common
- Affects middle aged
- RFs: DM, thyroid disease, previous trauma, surgery
Describe the presentation of adhesive capsulitis
-Insidious onset shoulder pain
-Stiffness + difficulty w ADLs
4 classic stages: takes about 1-3 years overall
1. Pain predominates, not much movement reduction
2. Pain v bad, movement reduced
3. Pain improved, movement reduced
4. Pain resolved
Stiffness resolves slowly
Describe the investigations for adhesive capsulitis
Normal investigations- Dx of exclusion (fractures, rotator cuff pathology etc)
Describe the management of adhesive capsulitis
Conservative: mainstay
- Rest
- PHYSIO
- Analgesia
Medical:
- Steroid injection if unresponsive
- Hydrodilatation
Surgical:
- Manipulation under anaesthetic
- Arthroscopic capsular release
Give some differential diagnoses for shoulder pain
Trauma-related:
- Fracture
- Dislocation
- Rotator cuff pathology eg tear
Non-traumatic:
- Impingement
- Sub-acromial bursitis
- Adhesive capsulitis
- Arthritis: OA, inflammatory, septic
- Malignancy