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Flashcards in 1. Elbow clinical conditions Deck (27)
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1
Q

When does supracondylar fracture of humerus commonly occur?

A

FOOSH in children

2
Q

Which X-ray signs indicate supracondylar fracture of humerus?

A

1- raised anterior and posterior fat pads (joint effusion - intracapsular fracture)
2- <1/3 of humerus capitulum lies in front of anterior humeral line

3
Q

In which direction does the distal fragment in a supracondylar fracture of humerus displace?

A

posteriorly due to pull of triceps muscle

4
Q

Which neurovascular structures can be damaged in a supracondlar fracture of humerus?

A

1- brachial artery - can be torn or entraped

2- median, ulnar or radial nerves - compression/damage

5
Q

What can damage to the brachial artery at the elbow result in?

A

volkmann’s contracture: uncontrolled flexion of hand as ischaemia causes flexor muscles to become short and fibrotic

6
Q

What are radial head/neck fractures commonly caused by?

A

FOOSH in adults

7
Q

Which X-ray signs indicate radial head/neck fractures?

A

raised anterior and posterior fat pads

8
Q

In which direction do elbow dislocations usually occur?

A

posterior: distal end of humerus driven through weak anterior part of joint capsule as radius and ulna dislocation posteriorly

9
Q

Name 2 structures that might be damaged in a posterior elbow dislocation.

A

1- ulnar n.

2- ulnar collateral ligament

10
Q

What is the medical name of a “pulled elbow”?

A

subluxation and dislocation of radial head

11
Q

How does a pulled elbow occur?

A

i. sudden pulling of upper limb when forearm is pronated…
ii. tears distal attachment of anular ligament (where it is loosely attached to neck of radius)…
iii. radial head slips out of anular ligament (subluxation)…
iv. muscle (e.g. supinator) action pulls radial head superiorly (dislocation)

12
Q

What causes pain in a pulled elbow?

A

proximal part of torn anular ligament may become trapped between head of radius and humerus capitulum

13
Q

Why is a pulled elbow more common in children?

A

anular ligament is weaker and more easily torn, and bones are smaller

14
Q

What is “tennis elbow”?

A

lateral epicondylitis: repeated forceful flexion and extension of wrist… strains attachment of common extensor tendon… inflammation of periosteum of lateral epicondyle… pain over lateral epicondyle that radiates down posterior surface of forearm

15
Q

What is “golfer’s elbow”?

A

Medial epicondylitis: repeated forceful flexion and extension of wrist… strains attachment of common flexor tendon… inflammation of periosteum of medial epicondyle… pain over medial epicondyle

16
Q

Is lateral or medial epicondylitis more common?

A

lateral 10x more common

17
Q

Name 3 possible causes of swelling around the elbow.

A
  1. olecranon bursitis
  2. gouty tophi
  3. rheumatoid arthritis nodules
18
Q

What is subcutaneous bursitis? How is it caused?

A

inflammation and swelling of subcutaneous olecranon bursa (between skin and olecranon process of ulna) usually due to repeated minor trauma (contents is just serous fluid)

19
Q

What is subtendinous bursitis? How is it caused?

A

inflammation and swelling of subtendinous olecranon bursa (between triceps brachii tendon and olecranon process of ulna) caused by repeated flexion and extension of forearm (flexion usually more painful as puts more pressure on bursa)

20
Q

What causes gouti tophi?

A

disorders of nucleic acid metabolism (i.e. gout) leading to hyperuricaemia and sodium urate crystal deposition in the joints (causing recurrent attacks of arthritis) and soft tissues (ear, elbow and Achilles tendon)

21
Q

what is the most common fracture in >50yo?

A

fracture of distal radius

22
Q

why does fracture of one forearm bone often result in fracture of the other?

A

shafts are firmly bound together by interosseus membrane

23
Q

what are the 2 types of distal radius fracture and how are they different?

A
  1. Colles’ fracture
    - caused by FOOSH - forced dorsiflexion of the hand
    - distal fragment of radius (often comminuted) is displaced dorsally/posteriorly: ‘dinner fork deformity’
    - ulnar styloid process is often avulsed
  2. Smith’s fracture
    - caused by falling onto back of hand - forced palmarflexion of hand
    - distal fragment is displaced anteriorly
24
Q

Which type of fracture causes pain in the anatomical snuffbox?

A

scaphoid

25
Q

why should 2 X-rays be performed 10 days apart on suspected scaphoid fractures?

A

initial wrist X-ray may not reveal fracture but bone resorption may reveal fracture line 10 days later

26
Q

why do scaphoid fractures need to be quickly reduced?

A

risk of avascular necrosis of proximal scaphoid fragment which can then lead to wrist OA

27
Q

describe the blood supply to the scaphoid

A

lateral and distal branches of radial artery provide abundant supply to middle and distal scaphoid but neglect proximal portion, which relies on retrograde flow