Work-related MSK disorders Flashcards
What is tendinitis?
Inflammation of a tendon
What is capsulitis?
Inflammation of a joint capsule
What is spondylosis?
Degeneration of vertebral disc between the vertebrae
What is epicondylitis?
Inflammation of the tendons surrounding an epicondyle (i.e. on humerus)
What is tenosynovitis?
Inflammation of the fluid filled sheath that surrounds a tendon
What is thoracic outlet syndrome?
Compression at the superior thoracic outlet
This is the area where the subclavian artery and vein and a nerve bundle leave under the clavicle
The syndrome occurs when there is excess pressure on the nerve bundle causing pain
Clinical features of thoracic outlet syndrome?
Sensory: pain + tingling
Wasting of hand muscles
What causes thoracic outlet syndrome?
Affects people who work with their hands above their heads a lot
What is rotator cuff tendinitis?
Inflammation of the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles
Name the rotator cuff muscles?
Supraspinatus
Subscapularis
Infraspinatus
Teres minor
What is another name for medial epicondylitis?
Golfer’s elbow
What is another name for lateral epicondylitis?
Tennis elbow
Which causes pain against resisted flexion of the wrist?
Golfer’s or Tennis elbow?
Golfer’s
Which causes pain against resisted extension of the wrist?
Golfer’s or Tennis elbow?
Tennis
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Tightening of the transverse carpal ligament that compresses the median nerve
Where is the transverse carpal ligament?
A band across your superior wrist
What causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Occupations with repetitive or forceful wrist movements
Adverse wrist postures
What are the risk factors of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Pregnancy Obesity Endocrine disease Combined OCP HRT
What is the basic difference between mechanical and neurological back pain?
Mechanical: simple back pain, source of pain could be spinal joints, discs
Neurological: nerve root pain
Where is mechanical back pain usually felt? Is anything else felt?
Lumbrosacral region
Buttocks
Thighs
Not usually any other sensations
Where is neurological back pain usually felt? Is anything else felt?
Lower back radiating down leg to foot or toes
Paraesthesia
Numbness in same distribution
What are the red flag signs you should look for when examining someone with back pain?
Loss of feeling Incontinence Paralysis Fever Weight loss Young person
What are likely causes of back pain in people aged 15-30?
Prolapsed disc
Trauma
Fracture
Ankylosing Spondylitis
What are likely causes of back pain in people aged 30-50?
Degenerative spinal disease
Prolapsed disc
Malignancy, primary or secondary
What are likely causes of back pain in people aged over 50?
Degenerative spinal disease
Osteoporotic vertebral disc collapse
Malignancy
Myeloma
