Session 4-Hand And Wrist Conditions Flashcards
Why is the proximal end of the hand less likely to heal?
Poorer blood supply
What is tenosynovitis?
Inflamed tendons
What are the symptoms of tenosynovitis?
Pain
Swelling
Name and describe the test which can be carried out to diagnose tenosynovitis
Finkelstein’s test
Squeeze thumb into palm and ulnar deviate it-very painful for patients with this condition
What is the name of the extra bits of bone that form around a joint in osteoarthritis?
Osteophytes
What is Dupuytrens disease/contracture?
Fingers bend towards palm and cannot be fully extended due to scar tissue and lumps within the palm
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
Numbness
Tingling sensation
Occasionally pain in the hand and fingers
Why would a patient with carpal tunnel syndrome not describe tingling in the palm of their hand?
Median nerve splits - digital branch goes through carpal tunnel, affecting the radial 3 1/2 digits and the palmar branch goes over the flexor retinaculum and splits before the carpal tunnel so there is no tingling in the palm
What is cubital tunnel syndrome?
Compression of ulnar nerve at the elbow
What is Boxer’s fracture?
Fracture of the 5th metacarpal at the neck, commonly occurs when people punch incorrectly
What is reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)?
Disorder of sympathetic nervous system characterised by chronic, severe pain
True or false: rheumatoid arthritis affects both hands at the same time
TRUE
What causes ‘claw hand’?
Long-standing damage to ulnar nerve at the wrist
Which fingers does ‘claw hand’ affect?
Little and ring fingers-these fingers are hyperextended at MCP joint and flexed at the proximal and distal IP joints
True or false: ulnar nerve injury at the wrist is also called low ulnar nerve injury
TRUE
