Wrist Injuries Flashcards
What are the common acute and chronic wrist injuries?
Acute: - Fractures - Soft tissue strains/tears Chronic: - Pain persisting after healed fracture - Tendinosis/tenosynovitis - OA carpus
What are the common wrist fractures?
- Colles
- Smith’s
- Barton’s
- Scaphoid
- Hook of Hamate
What occurs in a Colles fracture?
Dorsally displaced piece of distal radius, common in older women (FOOSH)
What occurs in a Smith’s fracture?
Volarly displaced piece of distal radius, fall in flexion
What occurs in a Barton’s fracture?
Fracture of intra-articular surface of distal radius with dislocation of radial carpal joint, more likely to need ORIF
What occurs in a Scaphoid fracture?
FOOSH, more common in younger people, usually compressive (not displaced)
Can disrupt nearby vessel causing vascular necrosis (bone death)
What is the management of a scaphoid fracture?
Conservative: Cast including MCP joint
Surgical: Internal fixation
What occurs in a Hook of Hamate fracture?
FOOSH, forceful impact of hamate
Can disrupt ulnar nerve causing loss of function in 4th & 5th MC
What are the principles of treatment for wrist fractures?
Support & protect - Plaster - Internal/external fixation Maintain - ROM unaffected joints - Isometrics
What are some of the problems associated with wrist fractures?
- Stiffness
- Persistent swelling
- Weakness
- Pain
- Lack of confidence
What are the common types of soft tissue wrist injuries?
- Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC)
- Distal radio ulnar joint instability (e.g. ulnar variance)
- Scapholunate dissociation
- Lunotriquetral instability
What is the TFCC?
- Cartilage that sits in between ulna and proximal row of carpals & distal radioulnar joint
- Creates a cushion for weight-bearing loads
- Allows smooth rotation
- Connective tissue
- Includes many structures/ligaments
What is the mechanism of injury for TFCC?
- FOOSH
- Associated with fracture
- Commonly, tear through ligaments that hold it down (DRU/PRU)
- Can sometimes include ECU system
What is the treatment for TFCC?
- Immobilisation in slight flexion/ulnar deviation 4-6/52
What does ulnar variance refer to?
Varying lengths of the ulna compared to the radius