Elbow and Forearm Fractures Flashcards
What is a supracondylar fracture?
Distal humeral segment is fractured and displaced (straight horizontal line)
What is an intercondylar fracture?
Distal humeral segment is fractured and displaced (Y shaped fracture that separates the two condyles)
What are condylar fracture complications?
Brachial Artery - Volkmann’s ischmeic flexion contracture = Emergency referral
What are the 3 types of radial head fractures?
- Type 1: Nondisplaced
- Type 2: Displaced
- Type 3: Comminuted
What is the complication with olecranon fractures?
Difficulty regaining full extension
What are the typical signs and symptoms of a fracture?
- Multiple planes of limited ROM and pain
- pain with compression and vibration… potentially distraction
What are the special tests for a fracture after trauma?
- Lack of pronation ROM: LR + = infinity
- Lack of supination ROM: LR + = 14
- Lack of extension ROM: high sensitivity
- Other motions restricted: high specificity
When does PT Rx typically begin after a fracture?
When clinical union occurs between 4-8 weeks
If someone has pain after clinical union is it from bone?
Not typically from bone
What should the PT focus on with a post fracture patient?
Consequences of prolonged immobilization where every tissue is negatively influenced
The elbow is immobilized in what position after all fractures and/or surgeries making regaining what motion difficult?
Immobilized in flexion, regaining full extension difficult
