wrist and hand soft tissue injuries Flashcards
what is the MOI of a wrist sprain?
-falls on flexed or extended wrist or contusions
-overload injury seen in gymnasts/ weight lifters
what structures of the wrist could be included in wrist sprains?
-collateral ligaments
-scapholunate ligament - grade I, II or III
- may also have tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex on ulnar side (TFCC)
What are the symptoms of wrist sprains?
-pain
-swelling
-weakness in the wrist
-popping or slipping inside the wrist
-symptoms can get worse with activity, such as gripping, squeezing and lifting
what are the physical signs of a wrist sprain?
-tenderness over specific wrist ligaments
-swelling
-loss of ROM
-weakness
-certain positive special tests
what is the TFCC?
-lies between the ulna and carpus
-major stabiliser of the wrist
-common side of ulnar wrist pain
-injured with ulnar deviation with compression eg gymnastics, diving etc
what are the signs and symptoms of a TFCC tear?
-pain on ulnar side of wrist - associated with pronation and ulnar deviation mvt
-tender on ulnar aspect on palpation
-pain on resisted extension & ulnar deviation
-reduced & painful grip strength
-press test is positive
what does the conservative management of a TFCC tear involve?
-relative rest
-protecting brace /splint
-strengthening - isometric and grip strength
-ROM / manual therapy - but with caution if unstable
what does the surgical management of a TFCC tear involve?
-excision of torn cartilage under arthroscopy
-ulnar shortening - if it longer than radius and can impinge on radius
what can happen to the wrist after a grade 3 ligament sprain?
carpal instability
what carpal bone is the key bone for carpal stability?
-the scaphoid
what is the most common carpal bone instability?
scaphoid-lunate instability
what are the signs & symptoms of carpal instability?
-pain
-decrease in ROM
-clicking sensation
-increase in mobility on accessory motion testing
-tenderness on palpation
-decrease in grip strength
how is carpal instability managed?
-if sprain only, with no dislocation then managed as a usual ligament sprain
-if minor subluxation- may reduce spontaneously, otherwise reduced in surgery
what is the role of the physiotherapist in wrist ligament sprains /. carpal instability ?
-activity modification
-splinting (OT)
-pain management - NSAIDS, meds
-strengthening exercise
-proprioception exercises
what are examples of good strengthening exercises for wrist instability ?
-flexor carpi radialis, extensor apri radialis etc
-avoid exercising extensor and flexor carpi ulnaris
-isometric in acute stage
-progression to concentric and eccentric through range
why is it not recommended to exercise the ECU and FCU?
as it can increase the scaphoid lunate distance
what is skiers / gamekeepers thumb?
-rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb
what is the MOI of skiers thumb?
fall on the outstretched thumb
what are the symptoms of skiers thumb?
-pain & swelling at the base of the thumb
-pain using the thumb for pinching and gripping, opening jars, cars and door handles
what are the physical signs of skiers thumb?
-tenderness along the UCL
-instability & discomfort with stress testing of the ligament thumb in extension
-x rays to out rule avulsion fracture
how is skiers thumb managed conservatively?
-casting/ splinting the wrist and thumb for several weeks
what does the surgical treatment of skiers thumb involve?
-repair of the torn ligament with reattachment to the bone
-period of immobilisation
what is De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
-inflammation of the APL and EPB tendons as they pass through their synovial sheath at the level of the radial styloid
what kind of injury is De Quervains Tenosynovitis?
overuse injury - ulnar deviation, thumb abduction