Upper Extremity Disorders Flashcards
4 articulations of the shoulder
- GH (2/3 of motion)
- Scapulothoracic (1/3 of motion)
- AC
- SC
Shoulder stability is dependent on:
Capsule, ligaments, rotator cuff muscles
Which rotator cuff muscle is most susceptible to injury?
Supraspinatus
Which rotator cuff muscle acts as an internal rotator?
Subscapularis
Which rotator cuff muscle acts as an external rotator?
Teres minor
What are the intrinsic muscles of the shoulder?
Rotator cuff muscles (SITS)
What are the extrinsic muscles of the shoulder?
- Deltoid
- Pec major
- Lat dorsi
- Teres major
Is the biceps muscle an intrinsic or extrinsic muscle of the shoulder?
- BOTH
- Intrinsic function: stabilize GH joint
- Extrinsic function: flex elbow
Patients younger than 40 w/GH instability are more likely due to:
Labral injuries
Chondral injuries
AC separation
Fx
Patients over 40 w/GH instability are more likely due to:
Calcific tendinitis Fractures AC and GH OA Frozen shoulder Rotator cuff tear
Anterior pain along the shoulder joint line suggests:
Labral problems
GH OA
Long head biceps tendinitis
Lateral pain over deltoid area suggests:
Impingement syndrome
Rotator cuff tendinitis/tear
Posterior pain or referral to scapular suggests:
Tendinopathy of ERs (infraspinatus and teres minor)
Focal pain on top of shoulder suggests:
AC joint involvement
Major peripheral nerves of the shoulder that can be injured:
Axillary (C5-6) Suprascapular (C5-6) Musculocutaneous (C5-6) Long thoracic (C5-8) Spinal accessory (C3-4)
What is the MC injured nerve of the shoulder?
Axillary nerve
What shoulder injury MC affects axillary nerve?
Anterior dislocation
What nerve is usually injured due to poorly fitting backpack?
Spinal accessory nerve
Describe rotator cuff tendinitis
- Thickening of tendon w/inflammation of overlying bursa
- Results in edema and sometimes micro tears
- Can occur at any age
Clinical presentation of rotator cuff tendinitis
- Pain in shoulder radiates to upper arm (but NOT past elbow)
- Worse w/overhead activity
Treatment of rotator cuff tendinitis
- Rest
- Sling is NOT encouraged as it may cause more stiffness
Describe calcific tendinitis of shoulder
- Presents similar to rotator cuff tendinitis but usually more pain w/ROM
- X ray shows Ca deposit
Treatment of calcific tendinitis of shoulder
Steroid injection
What is the MC cause of shoulder pain?
Impingement syndrome
Describe impingement syndrome
- Compression of structures around GH joint that occurs w/shoulder elevation
- Can affect SA bursa, biceps tendon (long head), rotator cuff
Stages of impingement syndrome
Stage 1: edema and hemorrhage (under 25 yo pts)
Stage 2: fibrosis and tendinitis (25-40 yo pts)
Stage 3: MC, rotator cuff tear, pts over 40 yo
What is the MC stage of impingement syndrome?
Stage 3: rotator cuff tear, patients over 40, have had at least 1 occurrence of Stage 1 or Stage 2
Definitive treatment of impingement syndrome
Surgical SA decompression (it opens the space and gives direct visualization to rotator cuff)
2 types of rotator cuff tears
- Acute traumatic
2. Chronic degenerative
Describe acute traumatic rotator cuff tear
- FOOSH or grabbing on while falling
- Acute pain referred to deltoid
- Significant pain when sleeping on affected side
Describe chronic degenerative rotator cuff tear
- Similar to tendinitis and impingement syndrome
- Wear on tendon gradually tears through