Wrist and hand conditions Flashcards
What is Allen’s test?
Physical examination testing function of ulnar artery supplying blood to hand
How is Allen’s test carried out?
Hand is elevated Patient clenches fist for 30 seconds Apply pressure over both radial and ulnar arteries Patient opens first Ulnar pressure released
What is a normal result of the Allen’s test?
Colour returns to hand in 5-15 seconds
What is an abnormal result of Allen’s test?
What does this mean?
Colour doesn’t return to hand in 5-15 seconds
Ulnar blood supply to hand is insufficient
shouldn’t cannulate or needle radial artery
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Autoimmune disease
antibodies against synovial membrane
gives inflammation
Which joints are commonly affected by rheumatoid arthritis?
MCP joints
PIP joints
What are the X ray features of rheumatoid arthritis?
Peri-articular osteopenia
Joint space narrowing
Juxta-articular bony erosions
Subluxation, gross deformity
What is peri-articular osteopenia?
Loss of bone adjacent to joints
What is juxta-articular bony erosions?
Erosion of bone not protected by articular cartilage
What is subluxation?
Partial dislocation of joint
Does rheumatoid arthritis affect more males or females?
Females
What age group is mostly affected by rheumatoid arthritis?
40-50 year olds
What are Herbeden’s nodes?
Swelling of DIP joints
What causes Herbeden’s nodes?
Osteoarthritis of DIP joints
What is fractured in a Boxer’s fracture?
5th metacarpal
How does the 5th metacarpal displace in a Boxer’s fracture?
Head of 5th metacarpal rotates
What are the signs of a Boxer’s fracture?
Shortening of little finger
Flexion deformity
What is De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
Inflammation of the synovial sheath containing abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons
What causes De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
Repetitive forcefeul use of thumb e.g. gripping
causes friction of tendons in the sheath
What are the symptom’s of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
Pain over lateral side of wrist
radiates to forearm and thumb
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
Anything that reduces the size of the carpal tunnel
Or increases the size of the structures passing through it
What are some examples of causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Infection
Repetitive use of muscles, friction of tendons
Inflammation of tendons, synovial sheaths
What is the most sensitive structure of the carpal tunnel?
Median nerve
What are the sensory and motor consequences of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Sensory loss - paraesthesia, hypothesia, anaesthesia
in palmar surface of lateral 3.5 fingers
tips of these fingers on dorsal surface
Motor function loss - weakness, atrophy
in thenar muscles
Why is there not sensory loss in the lateral palm?
Lateral palm is supplied by palmar cutaneous branch of median nerve
branches off median nerve before it enters the carpal tunnel
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Pain
- radiates to forearm
- worse in mornings
- wakes patient up from sleep