This week on PA Study Sesh, we will be finishing the upper extremity.

* Supracondylar fx

* MOI: FOOSH with hyperextended elbow
* Kids 5-10
* X-Ray:

* Normal: anterior humeral line must intersect capitulum (lateral view)

* May still be in alignment with fx


* Fat Pad sign=refer

* Anterior to humerus = sometimes normal
* Posterior to humerus = always abnormal
* Darkness=blood


* Anterior interosseous nerve @ risk (branch of median n)

* “ok” sign (A-ok)

* if not=immediate surgery


* Brachial artery @ risk

* Can lead to Volkmann Ischemic Contracture

* Contracture of wrist 2/2 ischemia










* Radial Head fx



* #1 elbow fx in adults
* MOI: FOOSH
* Xray:

* Often difficult to see
* + fat pad sign


* Unable to fully extend elbow




* Elbow Dislocation

* Rare
* Posterior most common (olecranon goes backwards)
* Often associated with medial condyle fx
* R/o brachial a, median, ulnar, radial n injury
* Tx: emergent reduction, splint/sling


* Nursemaid’s elbow

* Dislocation of radial head, stretched annular ligament

* Annular= ring shaped, radius=circle


* MOI: sudden pull of a pronated arm

* Grabbing from street
* Playing airplane


* Kids 1-4
* Presentation:

* Arm fully extended or slightly flexed and pronated
* REFUSES to use
* Pain increases with supination. Mild tenderness
* Usually no swelling


* Reduction:

* hyperpronation with pressure over radial head
* supination and flexion with pressure over radial head


* Lollipop test
* Imaging after 2 failed reduction of child continues to refuse to use arm.


* Olecranon fx

* Ulnar n at risk


* Olecranon bursitis

* Repetitive trauma or rhematologic conditions
* “goose egg” swelling
* +/- decreased ROM and tenderness
* Erythema and warmth may suggest infection
* Tx:

* Ice
* NSAIDS
* Avoid pressure
* Pads/sleeves




* Lateral epicondylitis

* “tennis elbow”
* extensor/supination muscle group
* local pain and swelling
* pain with wrist extension against resistance (elbow fully extended)


* Medial epicondylitis

* “golfer’s elbow”
* flexors & pronators (golf & flexor both have f)
* pain with wrist flexion against resistance (elbow fully extended0


* Tx: for epicondylitis (both)

* Acute: sling, wrist brace, Ice, NSAIDS
* Preventative: forearm strap
* Recurrent: steroid injections, surgical debridement




* Nightstick fx:

* Ulnar shaft fx
* Defensive injury
* Tx: Cast or ORIF


* Monteggia fx

* Proximal ulnar shaft with radial head dislocation
* May have radial n injury (wrist drop)


* Galeazzi fx

* mid distal radial shaft f x with dislocation of DRUJ


* both Galeazzi & Monteggia are unstable (any joint dislocation)
* TAKE HOME; evaluate elbow and wrist with forearm injury


* Cubital tunnel

* Ulnar nerve compression
* RF/SM tingling/numbness

* Increases with elbow flexion


* Decreased grip strength
* Tinel’s sign:

* Tap groove between olecranon process and medial epicondyle