UE Part 2 Flashcards
Bones of the elbow
- humerus
- Radius
- ulna
Ligaments of the elbow
- ulnar collateral ligament
- radial collateral ligament
- annular ligament
joints of the elbow and their function
- ulnohumeral and radiocapitellar articulation: flexion/extension of the elbow and pronation/supination of the forearm
- Proximal radioulnar articulation: pronation/supination of the forearm
what does the radius articulate with
capitulum
what does the ulna articulate with
trochlea
nerves of the elbow
- ulnar
- median
- radial
arteries of the elbow
brachial branches into
* radial
* ulnar
where does the biceps brachii originate and insert
long head intertubercular groove
short head coracoid process
inserts on the radial tuberosity and biceps aponeurosis
where does the triceps brachii originate and insert?
long head originates on lateral aspect of scapular
lateral head on posterior humerus
attaches on olecranon via triceps tendon
where are the flexor muscles located?
Anterior aspect
where are the extensor muscles located
posterior aspect
what cushions the olecranon and should not be palpable in normal patients?
olecranon bursa
imaging of elbow
- Standard X-rays: AP and lateral
- Oblique (radiocapitellar) 45 degree view –> improved radial head visualization
How should the anterior humeral line and the radiocapitellar line align on lateral xray
- Anterior humeral line should bisect the middle third of the capitellum
- Radiocapitellar line (drawn through enter of radius) should pass through center of capitellum
- Disruption of these relationships may indicate fracture
anterior humeral line = anterior humerus
What are the most common chief complaints of elbow
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
What does pain on the posterior aspect of the elbow indicate?
- Ulnar nerve compression
- Olecranon bursitis
- Fracture of olecranon
What does pain of the medial elbow indicate?
- Arthritis
- Ulnar collateral ligament tear
- Medial epicondylitis
What does pain of the anterior elbow indicate
Arthritis
Rupture of the distal biceps tendon
Pronator syndrome
Lateral epicondylitis
What does pain of the lateral elbow indicate
- Fracture of the distal humerus
- Fracture of the radial head
- Posterior interosseous nerve syndrome
- Olecranon bursitis
Physical exam of elbow
Normal ROM
* 0-150 degree flexion
* 10-15 degree hyperextension
* 80 degree supination/pronation
* Inspect
* Palpate
* ROM
* Muscle strength
What muscles/nerves can be tested in elbow?
- Flexion and supination: bicep, C5-C6, musculocutaneous nerve
- Extension: tricep, C7-C8
- Pronation: pronator teres muscles, median nerve, C6-C7
What does valgus stress test of the elbow test?
- Stability of medial ligamentous structures, primarily ulnar collateral ligament
How is valgus stress test of elbow performed?
- Hold elbow in 20 degree flexion with forearm in supination
- Apply pressure on Lateral side of elbow attempting to open the medial joint line
What does varus stress test determine?
- Stability of the lateral collateral ligament and lateral capsule
How is the varus stress test performed?
- Hold elbow in 20 degree flexion with forearm in supination and apply pressure on the medial side of the elbow, attempting to open the lateral joint line
Disorders of the elbow
- Fractures
- Subluxation of radial head
- Epicondylitis
- Olecranon bursitis
Etiology of distal humeral fractures
- Direct trauma
- Axial loading transmitted through the elbow
Types of distal humeral fractures
- Supracondylar (MC in children): type A
- Epicondylar (medial or lateral): type B
- Intercondular: type C (MC) both epicondyles impacted
Distal humeral fracture complications
- Intra-articular or comminuted fractures
- Nerve injury to ulnar or radial nerve
How would ulnar nere injury present?
- Sensory changes to medial 2 fingers
- Flexion/adduction of wrist impacted
- 4th and 5th DIP joint flexion impacted
- Finger abduction
How does radial nerve injury present?
- Sensory changes to dorsal thumb, pointer finger and middle of middle finger and wrist
- Motor: wrist extension
Presentation of distal humeral fractures
- Pain
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Ecchymosis
- Crepitus
- Elbow ROM limited
- Shortening of arm with displaced shaft fracture
What should be assessed on exam of distal humeral fracture?
- Skin
- Joints/bones above and below
- N/V status
What can be impacted with a supracondylar fracture?
- Radial artery
- Median nerve
What can be impacted in an epidconylar fracture?
- Ulnar nerve (medial)
- Radial nerve (lateral)
- depennding on epicondyle impacted
Imaging for distal humeral fracture
- AP and lateral elbow x-ray
- Look for fat pad “sail sign”
- MC in kids
What does the fat pad sail sign indicate?
Intra-articular bleeding
Management of supracondylar fracture?
- Isolated without displacement or angulation: long arm cast/splint with elbow flexed at 90 degrees
- Displaced, angulated, or NV compromise: ORIF
Management of epicondylar humeral fracture
- Isolated, minimally displaced: long arm cast/splint with elbow at 90 degrees
- Medial condyle fracture: forearm in pronation
- Lateral condyle fracture: forearm in supination
- Moderate displacement (2-4 mm): percutaneous pinning or ORIF
- Severe displacement: ORIF
Long arm posterior casting indications
Supracondylar distal humerus, olecranon, proximal mid-shaft radius and ulnar fractures
MOI of olecranon fracture
- Fall on a semi-flexed supinated forearm (avulsion) MC
- 2nd MC: direct trauma
Presentation of olecranon fracture
- Pain, tenderness, swelling, ecchymosis over olecranon process
- Limited ROM of elbow
- Deformity if associated elbow dislocation
Exam of olecranon fracture
- Assess distal NV status and overlying skin
- Ulnar nerve most often affected
Olecranon fracture imaging
- AP and lateral elbow
- Radiocapitellar view if unclear or complicated presentation
Management of nondisplaced olecranon fracture (<1-2 mm displacement)
- Posterior long arm splint with elbow in any degree of flexion, forearm in neutral position
- Monitor for vascular compromise
- Encourage hand/finger ROM/strength
- Repeat x-ray in 7-10 days to ensure alignment intact
- Cast/splint removed after 2-3 weeks
- Start gentle ROM therapy
- Consider PT referral
Management of displaced olecranon fracture
- Closed: splint and refer for ORIF
- Open: admit for IV abx and consult ortho
- If contraindication for surgery, sling and start ROM as pain allows
Complications of olecranon fracture
- Elbow stiffness, loss of ROM
- Arthritis
- Non-union
- Surgical implant failure
MOI of radial head/neck fracture
fall on outstretched hand resulting in compression of radial head into the capitellum
Most common fracture of the elbow
Classification of radial head/neck fracture
- Mason classification
- Type I: <2 mm displacement
- Type II: displacement > 2 mm
- Type III: comminuted
- Type IV: radial head fracture with associated elbow dislocation
Presentation of radial head/neck fracture
- Pain and tenderness along lateral aspect of elbow over radial head
- Limited ROM related to pain or joint effusion
- Painful pronation/supination
- +/- local swelling/ecchymosis
- Additional exam: assess bones and joints above and below, skin, NV status
Imaging of radial head/neck fracture
- AP and lateral elbow with fracture line, fat pad sign
- Capitellar view if unable to appreciate fracture on standard views
Management of type I radial head/neck fracture
- Sling with or without a posterior splint –> splint should be removed after 1-2 days
- AROM after 24-48 hours with full extension, flexion; pronation and supination with elbow flexed at 90 degrees
- F/U with ortho in 1 week
- Aspiration if hemarthrosis is present to allow early ROM
Management of type II-III radial head/neck fracture
- Sling and splint with ortho evaluation in 2-3 days to discuss consideration of ORIF
- Ortho can assess for mechanical block
Management for type IV radial head/neck fracture
Immediate consult for reduction and ORIF
What is radial head subluxation?
- AKA nursemaid’s elbow
- Subluxation of the radial head through annular ligament due to laxity
- MC in children under 5
MOI of radial head subluxation
- Pulling on a pronated forearm while the elbow is extended
Clinical presentation of radial head subluxation
- Hx of mechanism followed by crying which subsides quickly
- Arm held semi-flexed, adducted, and pronated
- ROM is refused: resistance with attempted supination
- Tender over radial head
- No swelling or ecchymosis
Imaging of radial head subluxation
- Not necessary for diagnosis
- X-ray only if suspicion of other injury
Management of radial head subluxation
- Reduction
- If failed reduction, order radiographs, splint, and refer to ortho
- If succesful reduction, tylenol/motrin prn +/- sling, parent education
How can radial head subluxation be reduced?
- Premedicate with tylenol or motrin
- 2 techniques: supination-flexion or hyperpronation
- Immediate re-assessment of NV status
- After 15-30 minutes reattempt if no improvement, 3-4 attempts acceptable
- Reduction less likely to be successful if seen 1-2 days after injury
Supination-flexion reduction technique
- Hold elbow with thumb over radial head
- Quickly supinate fully
- Folowed by complete flexion
Hyperpronation reduction technique
- Hold elbow with your thumb overlying radial head
- Hyperpronate forearm
- Followed by complete extension then flexion
- EBM states that this technique is often more effective than the first and may be less painful
What is epicondylitis
- Tendinosis of wrist extensors or wrist flexors at their origination site on their respective epicondyles
- Lateral: wrist extensors (tennis elbow) MC
- Medial: wrist flexors (golfers elbow)
MOI of epicondylitis
- Chronic repetitive overuse resulting in micro-trauma at tendon insertion
- Acute strain due to excessive loading
Epidemiology of epicondylitis
- MC between 30-50 years of age
Presentation of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
- Pain with wrist extension and gripping- shaking hands, using computer mouse, use of screwdriver, back-handed tennis swing, opening jar
- Paint tenderness 1 cm distal to epicondyle
- Pain with wrist extension and supination against resistance (elbow extended)
Presentation of medial epicondylitis
- Pain with arm pronation and wrist flexion, grip pain/weakness-golf swing, overhead throwing, bowling
- Point tenderness 1 cm distal to epicondyle
- Pain with wrist flexion and pronation against resistance (elbow extended)
Diagnostics for epicondylitis
Normal AP and lateral elbow (not needed for diagnosis)`
Management of epicondylitis
- Activity modification, NSAIDs, ice after use
- Refer to PT if failure of conservative treatment
- PT after initial pain subsides: gentle stretching and strengthening
- Bracing: counterforce brace
- Steroid injection x 3 max
- Refer to ortho if symptoms persist for 6 months of conservative therapy
What is olecranon bursitis
Inflammation of the olecranon bursa
Mechanism of olecranon bursitis
- Trauma: fall or direct blow to elbow
- Inflammation: excessive leaning on elbow or secondary to systemic inflammatory conditions (RA, gout, etc)
- Infection: septic bursitis, MC pathogens staph and strep
Presentation of olecranon bursitis
- Gradual or sudden swelling of the brusa up to 6 cm in daimeter
- Small lumps of scar tissue remain as swelling subsides
- +/- pain, tenderness, limited ROM: more so in trauma and infectious etiologies, chronic recurrent swelling is less tender
- Redness and warmth in acute bursitis
Diagnostics for olecranon bursitis
- Aspiration for large, symptomatic bursa
- AP and alteral elbow x-ray if hx of trauma