Upper Limb Flashcards
What is osteology of the clavicle?
S shaped bone- Flat laterally
Tubular centrally
Prism medially
Sup surface smooth
Inf surface rough
What are the muscular and ligamentous attachements of the clavicle
SCM medially
Pec major- when fractured pulls clavicle medially
Deltoid
Subclavius
Sternohyoid
Traps
Ligaments
Medially- sternoclavicular joint- sternoclavicular/interclavicular/costoclavicular
Laterally- ACJ
Acromioclavicular ligament
Coracoclavicular ligament- medially Conoid, laterally trapezoid
What type of joints are involved in the clavicle?
Sternoclavicular- synovial joint
ACJ- fibrocartillagenous joint
Describe the Allman’s classification of clavicles?
Into 1/3s
Medial- 5%
Middle- 80%
Lateral- 15%
Describe the Neer classification of clavicles
Lateral 1/3 clavicle fractures- all in relation to CC ligaments
Type 1- extra-articular, lateral to CC, non op
Type 2A- Medial to CC, operative due to high non union rate- 56%
Type 2B- Torn conoid +- Trapezoid lig, operative non union rate 30-45%
Type 3- intra-articular, lateral to CC, ACJ arthritis, non op
Type 4- physeal fracture- non op
Type 5- comminuted ##, intact CC ligs, operative
Important points in examination of clavicle?
Open?
Skin tenting- is the skin freely mobile?
Brachial plexus injury?
Suprascapular nerve injury?- jobe’s test negative
SCJ dislocation/mediastinal injury in medial 1/3 clavicle #s- if posterior displacement need CT + Cardiothoracic referral- emergency
Listen to Chest!!
Indication for operation on a clavicle?
Absolute:
Open/threatened
Polytrauma- floating shoulder
Subclavian A/V injury
Symptomatic non union
Relative:
Unstable # patterns- Neer 2a/b/5
Bilateral displaced #
Brachial plexus injury
Rib #s
Young sports injuries for quicker return to play
Reasons for operation?
Reasons again operation
on clavicles that is
Faster time to uninon, fewer non/symptomatic malunions, increased satisfaction
RCT 2007 Canadian OTS
Infection, NVI (supraclavicular nerve- sensation only- important in breast feeding)
Removal of metalwork very likely- ~30%
Pneumothorax
Frozen shoulder
What is the non operative management of clavicle fractures?
Sling- polysling
ROM exercises at 2 weeks
Strength exercises at 6 weeks
Sport at 4-6 months
How to assess any trauma patient?
ATLS
A2E
AMPLE
Allergies
Medication
PMHx
Last ate
Events
What is the most common nerve injury for shoulder discloation?
Axillary nerve injury- 5% of cases
Transient neuropraxia
How to assess axillary nerve function?
Deltoid and teres minor strength
Regimental patch
Axillary nerve course?
C5,C6 of posterior cord of brachial plexus
Through quadrangular space (with post circumflex humeral A)
What are the theoretical spaces in the axilla and what runs through them and boarders?
Fingers together
Quadrangular space- Axillary N, post circumflex A +V
Triangular space- circumflex scapular
Triangular interval- radial N, profunda brachii A
Boarders- Teres minor/major, medial/long head triceps
What are the associated bony/ligamentous injuries with a shoulder dislocation?
Bankart lesion-avulsion of the anterior labrum
Bony bankart- # of the ant.inf glenoid labrum
Hills sachs defect- chondral impact injury, present in 80-100% of dislocations
Rotator cuff injuries- 30% of those >40 years old, >80% of those greater than 60 years old
Superior labral tears from ant to post (SLAP lesions)
How to examine a shoulder dislocation?
A2E AMPLE
Nerves/vascular injury
Isolated injury?
Age
Hypermobility?
Imaging- Scapula Y, AP, modified trauma axial
How to manage a shoulder dislocation
Relocate in ED with sedation
My technique- traction counter traction with bed sheet in axilla
Avoid any rotation- can lead to a associated neck fracture
May need abduction in the axilla to unstick from hills sachs lesion
Other techniques:
Kocher’s,
Milch’s (supine + ER + ABDuction)
Stimpson’s (Prone + hanging on bed, traction + ER)
Dowson et al. for modified approach
Sedation in ED
Penthrox
Propofol
If un reducible, attempt reduction under GA
Assess for instability post reduction
Open reduction as back up
Once reduced- immobilise for 1 week and ensure has PT follow up for rehab
May need MRI if significant Rotator cuff injury- large tear in supraspinatus
Or if repeated dislocator
In my unit
<25 years old + symptoms for MRAtrhrogram to assess for labral injuries
> 40 years old for MRI to assess for rotator cuff injuries
Causes of posterior dislocation of shoulder?
Seizures/electric shock
Describe the anatomy of the proximal humerus?
GT and LT- LT is anterior, GT laterally facing
Head
Surgical neck- common site of fractures- more distal
Anatomical neck- site of old epiphyseal plate
What is the main blood supply for the head of the humerus?
Medially from the circumflex humeral Artery
How do you classify proximal humerus fractures?
Neer’s classification
Into parts- head, LT, GT and shaft
2o parts- fracture dislocation and head splits
When would you CT scan a proximal humerus fracture?
For pre op planning
if ?head split #
Or if GT/head position was uncertain
Intra-articular comminution
When would you MRI a proximal humerus fracture?
To assess for rotator cuff injury
Will guide your decision regarding a reverse vs total shoulder replacement
When would you operate on a fracture proximal humerus?
Patient and injury factors!!!
Absolute:
Open,NVI
GT fracture + >5mm displacement
Fracture dislocations
Head splits
Open
Vascular injury
Relative indications- Hurtle criteria
Young patients with 3/4 part #s
Failed non op management- non union/painful/traumatic osteoarthritis
RTSR better has less complications after failed non op management than failed operative management- Santana et al.
What did the Propher trial demonstrate?
Pragmatic trial
Surgical vs non surgical treatment of displaced proximal humerus #s
Mean age 66
No significant difference in outcomes between outcomes at 2 or 5 years
Cost analysis significantly worse for surgery
What is a pragmatic trial?
Evaluates the performance of treatment options in a real world clinical setting with a focus on patient centred outcomes. It aims to situations where there are clinical equipoise.
Describe the deltopectoral approach?
Internervous and intermuscular approach between axillary nerve (deltoid) and medial/lateral pectoral nerve (pec major)
Patient is position in beach chair + bolsters + head support
Landmarks are coracoid process/acromion/clavicle/humerus
Incision is along the deltopectoral groove
Skin, fat
Identify the cephalic vein overlying fascia- take laterally and divide medial perforators
Incise deltopectoral fascia
Deep dissection between deltoid and pec major
Identify conjoint tendon
Incised subscapularis tendon and reflect medially to access the joint capsule
Dangers are: Cephalic vein
musculocutaneous nerve 5-8cm distal to the coracoid process
Axially NVI all lie medial to the coracoid along with the brachial plexus
What are the cardinal signs of a flexor sheath infection?
Knavel’s signs
Sausage digit
Fixed flexion position
Pain on passive extension
Tenderness on palpation of the flexor sheath
Describe the function and the anatomy of the flexor sheaths?
Protect and nourishes tendons
Lots of variation but traditionally:
In index, middle and ring finger run from DIPJ to A1 pulley
Thumb runs from IPJ to radial bursa
LF runs from DIPJ to ulna bursa
what is the aetiology of a flexor sheath infection?
Penetrating trauma to the sheath
Direct spread from a felon/septic joint/ deep space infection
What are the common bugs causing a flexor sheath infection and the high risk groups?
Staph A/MRSA
Staph Epi
Beta haemolytic strep
Pseudomonas
Polymicrobials
High risk groups- immunocomprimised/Animal/human bits/DM/PVD/renal failure
What is the treatment of a flexor sheath infection?
Urgent washout + IV Abx + re washout
Incision is made over A1 and A5 pulleys + incision over flexor sheath
Insert cannula into sheath + gentle washout
Aspirate pus + send for samples
If there is purulent pus + ischaemic digit there is a 59% amputation rate as per Pang et al.
8% if just purulent and no ischaemia
Describe the anatomy of the flexor compartment of the forearm?
Superficial- FCU, Palmaris longus, FCR and pronator teres
Intermediate- FDS
Deep- FPL, FDS, Pronator quadratus