DE QUERVAIN’S SYNDROME: INFORMATION De Quervain’s syndrome is a condition which is characterised by pain along the course of two thumb tendons, namely the extensor pollicis longus and the abductor pollicis brevis. These muscles are responsible for extending and abducting the thumb and both are housed within synovial sheaths. The tendons are able to glide… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Jack
Ganglions
GANGLION CYST: INFORMATION A ganglion cyst is a harmless swelling that contains a thick jelly-like material which is thought to arise from either the capsule or tendon sheaths. They are often found around the wrist and on the fingers and can be felt as a smooth lump under the skin. The cause of ganglions remains unclear. The main… Read more »
Wrist Fractures
WRIST FRACTURES (SCAPHOID FRACTURE, DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURE, ETC.) The wrist is the flexible link between the forearm and fingers. It is a complex joint composed of two rows of carpal bones which articulate with the lower end of the ulnar and radius of the forearm. Tendons travel down from the elbow and forearm and cross over the… Read more »
Wrist Sprain
WRIST SPRAINS The wrist is the flexible link between the forearm and fingers. It is a complex joint composed of two rows of carpal bones which articulate with the lower end of the ulnar and radius of the forearm. Tendons travel down from the elbow and forearm and cross over the wrist to insert… Read more »
Skier’s Thumb/UCL Sprain
GAMEKEEPER’S/SKIER’S THUMB Gamekeepers or skiers thumb describes a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb, which is located between the first metacarpophalangeal joint close to the web of the thumb. This injury can occur either as a single event or due to a repetitive overload (chronic) injury, whereby the ligament becomes stretched and… Read more »
Wrist/Finger Flexor Strain
WRIST/FINGER FLEXOR STRAIN Overuse injuries of the wrist and forearm not only subject the tendons of the forearm to overload, but can also result in repetitive strain to the muscles which are responsible for bending/flexing the wrist and fingers. This type of injury is often grouped together with other diagnoses, such as carpal tunnel syndrome… Read more »
Anterior Interosseous Nerve Entrapment
ANTERIOR INTEROSSEOUS NERVE ENTRAPMENT The anterior interosseous nerve is a condition caused by the compression or irritation of the median nerve. This nerve can be entrapped at various sites along its course down the upper limb and each site is specific with regards to the clinical presentation, i.e. pronator teres syndrome, anterior interosseous nerve entrapment… Read more »
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Sprain
ULNAR COLLATERAL LIGAMENT SPRAIN The elbow joint is described as a “hinge joint” and is formed by three bones, namely the humerus, radius and ulna. Along with the surrounding musculature, this joint is supported and strengthened by two ligaments: the ulnar, and radial collateral. The ulnar collateral ligament is fan shaped and very strong. It… Read more »
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
CUBITAL TUNNEL SYNDROME Nerves can not only be irritated as they exit the spine, but also at distant sites away from the spine. These are known as peripheral entrapments. The ulnar nerve arises from the medial cord of the brachial plexus, a branch of nerve fibres which stem from the neck. This nerve supplies the… Read more »
Olecranon Bursitis
OLECRANON BURSITIS The olecranon is the medical term to define the point of the elbow. Anatomically, the olecranon is located on the ulnar. Overlying the olecranon is a fluid filled sac, named a bursa. The bursa prevents friction between the point of the elbow and the overlying skin and,… Read more »
Triceps Tendinopathy
TRICEPS TENDINOPATHY The main action of the triceps brachii is to extend or straighten the elbow. It is composed of three separate muscle heads, namely the medial, lateral and long head, which originate from the humerus and scapula and, together, insert onto the point of the elbow (olecranon). With triceps tendinopathy, there is often a… Read more »
Wrist/Finger Extensor Strain
WRIST/FINGER EXTENSOR STRAIN OR RSI Overuse injuries of the wrist and forearm not only subject the tendons of the forearm to overload, but can also result in repetitive strain to the muscles which are responsible for extending the wrist and fingers. This type of injury is often grouped together with other diagnoses, such as carpal tunnel… Read more »
Tennis Elbow/Lateral Epicondylitis
TENNIS ELBOW/LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS The medical name for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis, as this condition occurs where the tendons of the forearm insert onto the lateral epicondyle of the elbow joint. The lateral epicondyle is the site at which the muscles which bend the wrist and fingers backwards originate. There are many muscles which… Read more »
Elbow Fracture
ELBOW FRACTURE Trauma to the elbow may occur from several different mechanisms, such as falling onto an outstretched hand, falling onto the point of the elbow or receiving a large force directly to the elbow. If you have experienced a history of trauma and show any of the signs or symptoms below, it would be… Read more »
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Shoulder
OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA) OF THE SHOULDER In the absence of previous trauma, osteoarthritis in the shoulder predominantly occurs in the acromioclavicular joint rather than the glenohumeral joint. Similar to any other joint in the body, osteoarthritis in the acromioclavicular joint occurs secondary to either overuse of the joint or as a consequence of previous trauma, such… Read more »
Biceps Rupture
BICEPS RUPTURE The biceps brachii muscle can rupture either as a consequence of direct trauma or secondary to overuse. Often in the case of overuse, the tendon involved may already exhibit characteristics of a tendinopathy/tendinosis. To complicate matters further, this already weakened tendon may not necessarily be symptomatic prior to the development of a tear. In this… Read more »
Dislocated Shoulder (Glenohumeral Joint)
DISLOCATED SHOULDER (GLENOHUMERAL JOINT) The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the largest and most obvious joint in the shoulder complex. It is described as a “ball-and-socket” joint and consists of an articulation between the glenoid fossa of shoulder blade (which forms the socket) and the head of the humerus (which forms the ball). One of… Read more »
Glenoid Labrum Tear
GLENOID LABRUM TEAR The glenohumeral (GH) joint is the largest and most obvious joint in the shoulder complex. It is described as a “ball-and-socket” joint and consists of an articulation between the glenoid fossa of the shoulder blade (which forms the socket) and the head of the humerus (which forms the ball). One of the… Read more »
Acromioclavicular (AC) Sprain / Separation
ACROMIOCLAVICULAR (AC) SPRAIN / SEPARATION The acromioclavicular joint (AC) is found on the top of the shoulder and is located between the collar bone and part of the shoulder blade defined as the acromion. Through this articulation, the collar bone can act as a strut, maintaining the upper limb away from the thoracic cage… Read more »
Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)
ADHESIVE CAPSULITIS (FROZEN SHOULDER) Frozen shoulder is medically termed Adhesive Capsulitis and is a condition which affects the capsule around the glenohumeral joint, whereby the capsule becomes inflamed, swollen and contracted. As a consequence, the normal elasticity of the capsule is replaced by pain and stiffness. https://media.physitrack.com/educational_videos/efc907ee-35e2-425c-86aa-a83e468a9676/video_720p.mp4 The cause of adhesive capsulitis is largely unknown. This… Read more »
Subacromial Bursitis
SUBACROMIAL BURSITIS The subacromial bursa is a fluid filled sac, which is located under the acromion, and functions to decrease friction between the rotator cuff and coracoacromial arch. Bursae are found in many locations within the body such as the knee and hip and like any soft tissue, can become injured. In the case… Read more »
Rotator Cuff Tears
ROTATOR CUFF TEARS Rotator cuff tears can occur as a consequence of either direct trauma or secondary to overuse. Often in the case of overuse, the tendon involved may already exhibit characteristics of a tendinopathy/tendinosis. To complicate matters further, this already weakened tendon may not necessarily be symptomatic prior to the development of a tear…. Read more »
Bicipital Tendinopathy
BICEPS TENDINOPATHY The biceps brachii muscle is located in the upper arm and is composed of a long and a short head. The long head crosses both the shoulder joint (see below) and the elbow joint, whereas the smaller short head crosses only the elbow joint. The long head originates on the supraglenoid tubercle of… Read more »
Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
ROTATOR CUFF TENDINOPATHY To understand the injuries that can occur to tendons of the shoulder, a brief understanding of normal tendon structure is required. A tendon is a tough band off fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone. In response to physical training, the metabolism in tendons changes and, as such, the tendon will adapt… Read more »