Upper Extremity Pathologies Flashcards
Clavicle Fracture
AKA Collarbone Fx.
Occurs from direct blow to shoulder or fall onto the shoulder
Orthoses: Figure 8 brace, clavicle splint
Shoulder Subluxation
Shoulder instability, or partial dislocation
Continued use of subluxation can lead to trauma/instability
Could be caused by accident or anatomical deformities
Orthoses: Shoulder abduction sling, arm sling
Epicondylitis
Tennis (lateral) /Golfer’s (medial) elbow
Caused by repetitive stress at the muscle junction of medial or lateral epicondyle.
Orthoses: Tennis/Golfer’s elbow brace
Tendonitis
Tendon injury often caused by overuse
Often describes tendon injuries that are accompanied by inflammation.
Orthoses: thumb spica, soft elbow brace, cockup wrist splint
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Median nerve that runs down forearm into palm of hand is pressed or squeezed at the wrist. Carpal tunnel: narrow, rigid passageway of ligaments and bones at the base of the hand.
Orthoses: cockup wrist splint with or without thumb spica
De Quervain’s Syndrome
Painful condition affecting tendon sheath on the thumb side of the wrist. Swelling or thickening of the sheath around the tendon results in increased friction/pain with certain thumb & wrist movements.
Orthoses: thumb spica, cockup wrist splint with thumb spica
Sprains
Ligament injury, caused by falling, twisting, hit.
Ligaments overstretch
Orthoses: various soft orthoses
Strains
Injury to muscle or tendon
Caused by twisting, pulling a muscle.
Overstressing muscles and tendons
Orthoses: various soft orthoses
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Abnormal thickening of tough tissue (fibrous layer) underneath skin of the palm/fingers. Causes fingers to curl.
Mallet Finger
Extensor tendon is damaged preventing thumb/finger from straightening.
Orthoses: DIP extension splint
