Shoulder and Elbow Problems

Question 1

2 types of shoulder pathology

Answer 1

• Traumatic shoulder injuries

- Non-traumatic shoulder pain

Question 2

2 types of elbow pathology

Answer 2

• Traumatic elbow injuries

- Elbow tendinopathies

Question 3

Common pathologies for;

• Teens/20s
• 30s & 40s
• 50s & 60s
• 70>

Answer 3

• Teens/20s: Fractures + instability
• 30s & 40s: Rotator cuff & capsulitis
• 50s & 60s: Impingement + AC joint
• 70>: Degenerative rotator cuff + joint

Question 4

3 types of shoulder dislocation and how common they are

Answer 4

• Anterior (90%)
• Posterior (9%)
• Inferior (1%)

Question 5

4 steps in treatment of shoulder dislocations

Answer 5

• Manipulation
• Immobilisation
• Physiotherapy
• Surgery

Question 6

What is the lightbulb sign

Answer 6

-Refers to the abnormal AP radiograph appearance of the humeral head in posterior shoulder dislocation.

Question 7

Define subacromial impingement

Answer 7

-Pain + dysfunction due to any pathology which: –Decreased volume of the subacromial space
Or
-Increases the size of the contents

Question 8

Treatment of subacromial impingement

Answer 8

• Subacromial steroid injection
• Physiotherapy
• Arthroscopic subacromial decompression

Question 9

Causes of frozen shoulder

Answer 9

• Adhesive capsulitis

- Primary (idiopathic) or secondary

Question 10

How to diagnose a frozen shoulder

Answer 10

• Clinical diagnose

- Normal radiograph

Question 11

Symptoms of frozen shoulder

Answer 11

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Thawing

Question 12

2 types of rotator cuff tears

Answer 12

• Traumatic

- Degenerative

Question 13

Treatment of acute and chronic degenerative rotator cuff tears

Answer 13

• Acute = early surgery

- Chronic degenerative = surgery IF symptomatic

Question 14

Causes of shoulder arthritis

Answer 14

• Osteoarthritis
• Inflammatory arthritis
• Post-traumatic arthritis

Question 15

What is important in shoulder arthritis

Answer 15

Rotator cuff integrity is paramount

Question 16

Common elbow pathologies in the young, middle age and elderly

Answer 16

• Young = fractures + dislocations
• Middle age = Tendinopathies
• Elderly = Degenerative disease

Cubital tunnel syndrome at any age

Question 17

Difference between golfer’s and tennis elbow

Answer 17

• Golfer’s = Pain on INSIDE of forearm

- Tennis = Pain on OUTSIDE of forearm