Upper Extremity Disorders Part 2 Flashcards
imaging for elbow
- Standard x-ray views - AP & lateral
- Additional views:
- Oblique (Radiocapitellar) 45° view - Improved radial head visualization
interpretation of lateral view of elbow imaging
- The anterior humeral line (1-2) should bisect middle third of capitellum.
- The radiocapitellar line (drawn through center of radius, 3-4) should also pass through the center of the capitellum.
- Disruption of these relationships may indicate fracture.
components of elbow assessment
-
ROM
- Flexion 0-150°
- Hyperextension 10-15° (usually kids only)
- Supination/Pronation 80° -
muscle strength
- Flexion and supination - Bicep, C5-C6, musculocutaneous nerve
- Extension - Tricep, C7-C8
- Pronation - Pronator teres muscles, median nerve, C6-C7 -
ligament testing
- valgus stress test
- varus stress test
what is the valgus stress test in elbow assessment
- Tests the stability of the medial ligamentous structures, primarily the ulnar collateral ligament
- Hold elbow in 20° flexion with forearm in supination; apply pressure on lateral side of the elbow, attempting to open medial joint line
how to perform varus stress test in elbow assessment?
- Tests the stability of the lateral collateral ligament and lateral capsule
- Hold the elbow in 20° flexion with the forearm in supination and apply pressure on the medial side of the elbow, attempting to open the lateral joint line
3 fracture patterns of distal humeral fx - which are MC in general and MC in children?
- Supracondylar (MC in children) - Type A
- Epicondylar (medial or lateral) - Type B
- Intercondylar - Type C (MC)
complications of distal humeral fx
- Intra-articular or comminuted fractures
- Nerve injury - Ulnar nerve; Radial
presentation of ulnar and radial nerve injury from distal humeral fx
- Ulnar nerve - Sensory changes; Flexion/adduction wrist, 4th and 5th DIP joint flexion, finger abduction
- Radial - Sensory; wrist extension
presentation of distal humeral fx?
what to check in Supracondylar Fx and epicondyle fx?
- Pain, swelling, tenderness, ecchymosis and crepitus
- Elbow ROM limited
- Shortening of arm with displaced shaft fx
- Skin, joints/bones above and below, NV status
- Supracondylar Fx: radial artery, median nerve
- Epicondyle Fx: ulnar nerve (medial), radial nerve (lateral)
imaging for distal humeral fx?
findings? MC in who?
-
AP and lateral elbow X-ray
- Assess fracture details
- Look for fat pad “sail sign” - Indicates intra-articular bleeding; May be evidence of occult fracture; MC seen in kids
management for supracondylar distal humeral fx
- Isolated w/o displacement or angulation - Long arm cast/splint with elbow flexed at 90°
- Displaced, angulated, or NV compromise: ORIF
management for epicondylar distal humeral fx
-
Isolated, minimally displaced (< 2 mm): Long arm cast/splint with elbow at 90 °
- Medial condyle fx - forearm pronate
- Lateral condyle fx - forearm supinate - Moderate displacement (2-4 mm): Percutaneous pinning or ORIF
- Severe displacement: ORIF
MC MOI of olecranon fx?
2nd MC?
- fall on a semi-flexed supinated forearm (avulsion)
- 2nd MC: direct trauma
Presentation of olecranon fx?
- Pain, tenderness, swelling and ecchymosis overlying olecranon process
- Limited ROM of elbow
- Deformity if associated elbow dislocation
- Assess distal NV status and overlying skin
which nerve is MC affected if NV status is compromised in olecranon fx?
ulnar nerve
imaging for olecranon fx
- AP and lateral elbow
- Radiocapitellar view - If unclear or complicated presentation
management for nondisplaced olecranon fx
< 1-2 mm displacement
- Posterior long arm splint with elbow in any degree of flexion, forearm in neutral position
- hand/finger ROM/strength: rubber ball x 5 min daily
- Repeat x-ray in 7-10 days to ensure alignment is intact
- Cast/splint removed after 2-3 wks
- Start gentle ROM therapy
- Consider PT referral (improves outcomes)
management for displaced (open & closed) olecranon fx
- Closed fx: splint and refer for ORIF
- Open fx: admit for IV abx and consult ortho
Contraindications for olecranon fx surgery may be present in who?
alt management?
- elderly or multiple comorbid conditions
- Tx: sling and start ROM as pain allows
MOI of radial head/neck fx
FOOSH resulting in compression of radial head into the capitellum
Most common fracture of the elbow?
Radial Head/Neck Fracture
classification for Radial Head/Neck Fracture?
Mason Classification
- Type I - < 2 mm displacement
- Type II - displaced > 2 mm
- Type III - comminuted
- Type IV - radial head fracture with associated elbow dislocation
- Pain and tenderness along the lateral aspect of elbow (overlying the radial head)
- Limited ROM
- Related to pain or joint effusion
- Painful pronation/supination - +/- local swelling/ecchymosis
dx?
Radial Head/Neck Fracture
imaging for Radial Head/Neck Fracture
-
AP and lateral elbow
- Fracture line
- Fat pad sign -
Capitellar (oblique) view
- If unable to appreciate fracture on standard views
management for type 1 radial head/neck fx
- Sling +/- posterior splint → splint should be removed after 1-2 days
-
AROM after 24-48 hours
- Full extension, flexion
- Pronation and supination with elbow flexed at 90° - F/u with ortho within 1 week
- Aspiration if hemarthrosis is present to allow early ROM
Type II - III radial head/neck fx management
- 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 fx
Immediate consult for reduction and ORIF
what is Radial Head Subluxation?
MC in what age group?
- Subluxation (partial dislocation) of radial head through annular ligament due to laxity
- Kids < 5 y/o
AKA: “Nursemaid’s elbow”
- MOI: Pulling on a pronated forearm while the elbow is extended
- Hx of mechanism followed by crying which subsides quickly
- Arm is held semi-flexed, adducted, and pronated
- ROM is refused - Resistance noted with attempted supination
- Tender over radial head
- No swelling or ecchymosis
dx? imaging?
radial head subluxation
imaging not needed unless sus of other injury (X-ray)
management for radial head subluxation
-
Reduction
- Premedicate with Tylenol or Motrin
- 2 techniques: Supination-flexion; Hyperpronation - Immediate re-assessment of NV status
- After 15-30 minutes
- no improvement (full flexion and supination): reattempt reduction
- 3-4 attempts would be acceptable - Reduction less successful if 1-2 days after injury
- Failed reduction
- Order radiographs
- Splint (posterior long-arm) and refer to ortho - Successful reduction
- Tylenol/Motrin prn
- +/- sling
- Parent education
how to perform supination-flexion reduction?
- Hold the elbow with the your thumb overlying the radial head
- Quickly supinate fully
- Followed by complete flexion
how to perform hyperpronation reduction?
- Hold the elbow with the your thumb overlying the radial head
- Hyperpronate the forearm
- Followed by complete extension then flexion
EBM states that this technique is often more effective the first time and may be less painful for radial head subluxation
hyperpronation reduction technique
which epicondylitis is MC
- Lateral: wrist extensors (aka tennis elbow) - MC
- Medial: wrist flexors (aka golfers elbow)
MOI of epicondylitis?
MC in what age group?
- Chronic repetitive overuse resulting in micro-trauma at tendon insertion; Acute strain due to excessive loading
- MC between 30-50
- Pain with wrist extension and gripping
- Shaking hands, using computer mouse, use of screwdriver, back-handed tennis swing - Point tenderness 1 cm distal to epicondyle
- Pain with ROM against resistance (elbow extended) - wrist extension and supination
dx?
Lateral (Tennis Elbow) 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 ROM against resistance (elbow extended) - wrist flexion and pronation
dx?
Medial (Golfer’s Elbow) Epicondylitis
Dx and Tx for epicondylitis
- Normal AP and lateral elbow (not needed for dx)
- Activity modification, NSAIDs (topical or oral), Ice after use
- Refer to PT if failure of conservative tx - PT after initial pain subsides
- Bracing - Counterforce brace
- Steroid injection x 3 max
- Refer to ortho if symptoms persist for 6 months of conservative therapy
Causes of olecranon bursitis
- Trauma - Fall, direct blow to elbow
-
Inflammation
- Excessive leaning on the elbow
- systemic inflammatory conditions - RA, gout etc. - Infection - Septic bursitis - MC staph and strep
- Gradual or sudden swelling of the bursa
- Up to 6 cm in diameter
- As the swelling subsides small lumps of scar tissue will remain -
+/- pain, tenderness, limited ROM
- More so in trauma and infectious etiologies
- Chronic recurrent swelling is less tender - Redness and warmth in acute bursitis
olecranon bursitis
diagnostics for olecranon bursitis (2)
- Aspiration - for large, symptomatic bursa - CBC, Gram stain, C&S, Crystals
- AP and lateral elbow x-ray - if hx of trauma
management for mild olecranon bursitis w/o sepsis
Activity modification and NSAIDs
Use of an elbow pad, compression during acute phase
- management for significant swelling olecranon bursitis w/o sepsis?
- management if swelling persists?
Aspirate, apply compression bandage, and f/u in 2-7 days
- If fluid returns and cx are negative repeat aspiration and re-cx
- If cx remain negative but swelling persists, aspiration and injection of 1 mL of corticosteroid into the bursal sac