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Local revision copy · not clinical advice

Elbow

Topic 26 · slides 805–813 · 9 slides · 42 questions
9 slides
▸ Slide 805 · elbowElbow · 2 questions expand
Slide render
slide 805
Question list
Q1-Q22 questions — tap to reveal all answerslist
  1. What elbow condition or anatomy does this slide illustrate?
  2. What are the key points in assessment of the elbow?
Answers · Q & A
Q1.What elbow condition or anatomy does this slide illustrate?
  • Not covered in the speaker notes
Q2.What are the key points in assessment of the elbow?
  • Not covered in the speaker notes
▸ Slide 806 · Lateral elbow pain ddx:Elbow · 7 questions 1 check expand
slide 806
Question list
Q1-Q77 questions — tap to reveal all answerslist
  1. List the differential diagnosis of lateral elbow pain.
  2. What is lateral epicondylitis and its pathophysiology?
  3. Which muscles originate from the lateral epicondyle and supracondylar ridge?
  4. What are the symptoms and signs of lateral epicondylitis?
  5. Describe the non-operative management of lateral epicondylitis.
  6. When is surgery indicated in lateral epicondylitis and what are the results?
  7. What is plica syndrome of the elbow?
Answers · Q & A
Q1.List the differential diagnosis of lateral elbow pain.
  • Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
  • Radial tunnel syndrome (4-5cm distal to lateral epicondyle)
  • Plica syndrome (most common is posterolateral fold)
  • RCJ arthritis, OCD of lateral condyle, PLRI
Q2.What is lateral epicondylitis and its pathophysiology?
  • Overuse injury with eccentric overload at origin of common extensor tendon
  • Tendinosis and inflammation at origin of ECRB
  • Concomitant radial tunnel syndrome in 5%
  • Patho: angiofibroblastic hyperplasia + disorganized collagen
Q3.Which muscles originate from the lateral epicondyle and supracondylar ridge?
  • ECRB, ED, EDM, ECU and anconeus all originate from the lateral epicondyle
  • ECRL and brachioradialis arise from the supracondylar ridge
Q4.What are the symptoms and signs of lateral epicondylitis?
  • Sx: lateral elbow pain, weak grip, pain on resisted wrist extension
  • PE: tenderness over lateral epicondyle
  • Pain on resisted wrist/MF extension with elbow extended; pain on wrist flexion
  • Imaging to rule out other causes
Q5.Describe the non-operative management of lateral epicondylitis.
  • 95% effective; lifestyle modification, physio, NSAID, steroid (<20mg steroid)
  • Counterforce brace (5cm wide non elastic support distal to elbow, does not allow full muscle expansion, thereby decreased stretch on lateral epicondyle)
  • BMJ Bisset 2006: steroids better effects at 6 weeks but with high recurrence rate, poorer outcomes c/w physio in the long term
  • PRP: 2020 meta-analysis favoured PRP long term, steroid best short term; Cochrane 2021 does not support PRP
Q6.When is surgery indicated in lateral epicondylitis and what are the results?
  • After failed 9-12 months of non-operative management
  • Release and debridement of ECRB origin (open/arthroscopic/percutaneous equivalent)
  • Results: 85% complete relief, 5% no benefit, 10% some improvement
Q7.What is plica syndrome of the elbow?
  • Part of the ddx of lateral elbow pain
  • Normally 4 folds: anterior, posterior, posterolateral, lateral
  • Most common symptomatic plica is the posterolateral fold
Fact check

PRP has no evidence for lateral epicondylitis (2021 Cochrane does not support it) — contested/oversimplified — Cochrane 2021: PRP or autologous blood probably gives no clinically significant benefit vs placebo at 3 months, but Hohmann 2023 found PRP superior to steroid at 3-6 months; steroid benefit is short term. — medium confidence — source

▸ Slide 807 · Cubital varus/ valgusElbow · 6 questions 1 check expand
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slide 807
Question list
Q1-Q66 questions — tap to reveal all answerslist
  1. What is the normal carrying angle of the elbow?
  2. What are the causes of cubitus varus?
  3. What is the incidence of cubitus varus after supracondylar fracture and how does the patient present?
  4. What is a fishtail deformity after lateral condyle fracture?
  5. What corrective osteotomy options are available for cubitus varus?
  6. Describe the French osteotomy for cubitus varus.
Answers · Q & A
Q1.What is the normal carrying angle of the elbow?
  • Male: 5-10 degrees
  • Female: 15-20 degrees
Q2.What are the causes of cubitus varus?
  • Static (malreduction) or dynamic (growth) causes
  • Supracondylar fracture malunion (varus, IR, extension)
  • Lateral condyle fracture - fishtail deformity, overgrowth of lateral condyle (50% regardless of treatment)
  • Transphyseal injury; bilateral causes include HME
Q3.What is the incidence of cubitus varus after supracondylar fracture and how does the patient present?
  • 3% after pinning, 14% after casting
  • Complaint is cosmetic; seldom causes functional deficit
Q4.What is a fishtail deformity after lateral condyle fracture?
  • Type 1: malunion of lateral condyle causing under development of lateral crista
  • Type 2: AVN of the medial crista of the trochlea
  • One cause of cubitus varus
Q5.What corrective osteotomy options are available for cubitus varus?
  • Timing: till skeletal maturity
  • French osteotomy, lateral closing wedge with step cut, medial opening wedge, computer assisted
Q6.Describe the French osteotomy for cubitus varus.
  • Lateral closing wedge with correction of rotation
  • Screws inserted from lateral: proximal screw posterior, distal screw anterior
  • Figure-of-8 wire loop tightening
Fact check

Normal carrying angle is 5-10 degrees in males and 15-20 degrees in females — imprecise - values vary widely — Commonly quoted normal values are about 11 degrees in men and 13 degrees in women (Orthobullets); studies report means of roughly 9-14 degrees in men and 11-16 degrees in women. — medium confidence — source

▸ Slide 808 · Cubitus valgus (in lateral condyle #)Elbow · 4 questions expand
Slide render
slide 808
Question list
Q1-Q44 questions — tap to reveal all answerslist
  1. A child develops cubitus valgus after a lateral condyle fracture. What is the mechanism, and what other causes should be considered?
  2. List the causes of radial head subluxation.
  3. Describe the blood supply of the distal humerus.
  4. What is the complication of cubitus valgus and how is it treated?
Answers · Q & A
Q1.A child develops cubitus valgus after a lateral condyle fracture. What is the mechanism, and what other causes should be considered?
  • AVN with physeal arrest of the lateral condyle after fracture
  • Other unilateral causes: OA, HME
  • Bilateral causes: congenital dislocation of the radial head, HME
Q2.List the causes of radial head subluxation.
  • Congenital (nail-patella syndrome)
  • Synostosis
  • MHE
  • Arthrogryposis; achondroplasia
  • Post-traumatic
Q3.Describe the blood supply of the distal humerus.
  • Lateral condyle: from posterior, just lateral to origin of the capsule
  • Trochlea: lateral crista supplied from the lateral condyle; medial crista has dual supply
  • Lateral supply crosses the posterior surface of the distal humeral metaphysis and is an end artery; medial supply comes from multiple vessels
Q4.What is the complication of cubitus valgus and how is it treated?
  • Tardy ulnar nerve palsy
  • Treatment: supracondylar osteotomy after skeletal maturity
▸ Slide 809 · Total elbow replacementElbow · 7 questions expand
slide 809
Question list
Q1-Q77 questions — tap to reveal all answerslist
  1. What is the functional range of the elbow and the anatomy of the distal humerus?
  2. What is the differential diagnosis of elbow arthritis?
  3. What are the problems in the RA elbow and describe the Larsen classification.
  4. Describe the operations available for the RA elbow.
  5. What are the problems and operations in OA elbow?
  6. How is elbow arthroscopy performed?
  7. What are the complications of elbow arthroscopy?
Answers · Q & A
Q1.What is the functional range of the elbow and the anatomy of the distal humerus?
  • Elbow functional range: F/E 30-130, S/P 60/40
  • Distal humerus: 30 degrees flexion, 5 IR, 5 degrees valgus
Q2.What is the differential diagnosis of elbow arthritis?
  • Primary OA
  • Post-traumatic arthritis
  • RA
  • Infection
Q3.What are the problems in the RA elbow and describe the Larsen classification.
  • Problems: osteopenia, ligamentous laxity with instability, contracture
  • Larsen 1: swelling + osteoporosis; 2: mild joint space narrowing + erosion; 3: significant joint space narrowing
  • Larsen 4: advanced erosion and laxity, subchondral bone breaching; 5: ankylosis
Q4.Describe the operations available for the RA elbow.
  • Synovectomy - indications: pain, PIN compression by synovitis; prerequisite: stable, F/E combined >90
  • Radial head excision - for painful rotation, PIN compression from radial head synovitis; cons: valgus instability, caput ulnare
  • Ulnohumeral distraction interpositional arthroplasty (tensor fascia lata)
  • TER (total elbow replacement)
Q5.What are the problems and operations in OA elbow?
  • Problems: hard bone, osteophytes, capsule contracture, loose bodies
  • Arthroscopic debridement (CI: previous ulnar nerve transposition)
  • OK (Outerbridge-Kashiwagi) procedure
  • Ulnohumeral distraction interposition arthroplasty; TER
Q6.How is elbow arthroscopy performed?
  • Patient selection (CI: previous ulnar nerve transposition, severe trauma with distorted anatomy, scarring); GA; supine/prone/lateral decubitus
  • Distend the joint through the lateral soft spot (olecranon, LE, radial head) with 20ml NS before placing portals
  • Anterior portal in elbow F90, posterior portal in slight flexion; open portal under direct vision
  • 1st portal supine: distal anterolateral (1cm anterior and distal to LE); anteromedial 2cm proximal to medial epicondyle, anterior to intermuscular septum
  • Post-op: immobilise in extension for 1 day, physio, CPM
Q7.What are the complications of elbow arthroscopy?
  • Portals: persistent drainage, fistula
  • Nerves: radial (most at risk), PIN, median, ulnar, antebrachial cutaneous nerves
  • Soft tissues: compartment syndrome
  • Contracture
▸ Slide 810Elbow · 3 questions expand
slide 810
Question list
Q1-Q33 questions — tap to reveal all answerslist
  1. Which procedure does this slide illustrate, and which portal views are shown?
  2. Which portals are shown in the lateral view, and which structures must be avoided?
  3. Which portals are shown in the medial view, and which nerves are at risk?
Answers · Q & A
Q1.Which procedure does this slide illustrate, and which portal views are shown?
  • Elbow arthroscopy portal anatomy — image-only slide (no speaker notes)
  • Lateral view: direct lateral portal; proximal lateral, middle anterolateral and distal anterolateral portals
  • Medial view: proximal medial and anteromedial portals
Q2.Which portals are shown in the lateral view, and which structures must be avoided?
  • Portals: direct lateral, proximal lateral, middle anterolateral, distal anterolateral
  • Related structures: lateral epicondyle, radial head, radial nerve
  • Posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerve also runs in the field
Q3.Which portals are shown in the medial view, and which nerves are at risk?
  • Proximal medial portal and anteromedial portal
  • Ulnar nerve lies posterior to the medial epicondyle; intermuscular septum is a key landmark
  • Median nerve and medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve are also shown
▸ Slide 811 · Coonrad MoreyElbow · 7 questions expand
slide 811
Question list
Q1-Q77 questions — tap to reveal all answerslist
  1. Describe the Coonrad-Morrey total elbow prosthesis.
  2. What is the role of the anterior flange and bone graft in the Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis?
  3. What is the survivorship of the Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis?
  4. What are the indications/contraindications and approach for total elbow replacement?
  5. Describe the surgical steps of total elbow replacement.
  6. What are the postoperative restrictions after total elbow replacement?
  7. Compare linked, unlinked and semi-constrained total elbow replacements.
Answers · Q & A
Q1.Describe the Coonrad-Morrey total elbow prosthesis.
  • Titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V)
  • Cemented, linked, semi-constrained with a floppy hinge
  • Floppy hinge allows varus/valgus so load is distributed to soft tissue
  • Displacement force of the humeral implant is anterior
Q2.What is the role of the anterior flange and bone graft in the Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis?
  • Bone graft increases rotational stability and shares torsional forces, protecting the bone-cement-implant interface
  • Controls posterior displacement
  • Allows thickening of bone stock at the site of maximal stress
Q3.What is the survivorship of the Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis?
  • Highest survivorship for RA
  • 92.4% at 10-12 years
Q4.What are the indications/contraindications and approach for total elbow replacement?
  • Indications: RA, complex distal humerus fracture in the elderly, OA
  • CI: infection, Charcot, young and active patient needing heavy lifting
  • 15cm incision just lateral to the medial epicondyle and medial to the tip of the olecranon
  • Bryan-Morrey approach (elevate triceps with periosteum of olecranon and proximal ulna, ulnar nerve transposition)
Q5.Describe the surgical steps of total elbow replacement.
  • Humerus: remove midportion of trochlea to enter canal; remove trochlea/capitellum level with epicondylar margins, preserve supracondylar columns; rasp canal
  • Ulnar: remove tip of olecranon to enter canal, serial rasping
  • Insert ulnar first (align center of ulnar component with centre of greater sigmoid fossa), then humerus; first generation cementation technique
  • Articulate by placing the axle; autograft at anterior flange; preserve radial head if possible
Q6.What are the postoperative restrictions after total elbow replacement?
  • Post op need immobilization (locked in 30 deg elbow flexion for 4 weeks)
  • Life-long weight lifting limit 10 lbs
Q7.Compare linked, unlinked and semi-constrained total elbow replacements.
  • Linked fully constrained: loosening; indication marginal bone stock and stability
  • Semi-constrained (Coonrad-Morrey): sloppy/floppy hinge, load distributed by soft tissue; anterior flange decreases posterior migration and rotation
  • Unlinked (unconstrained): unstable; prerequisite good soft tissue tension and bone stock
  • Semi-constrained (Souter): deep groove for stability; short humeral stem (stirrup) decreases rotational stress; RA laxity causes anterior tilt of humeral stem
▸ Slide 812 · SouterElbow · 3 questions expand
slide 812
Question list
Q1-Q33 questions — tap to reveal all answerslist
  1. Describe the Souter total elbow prosthesis.
  2. What is the advantage of the short humeral stem in the Souter prosthesis?
  3. What design features improve stability in the Souter prosthesis?
Answers · Q & A
Q1.Describe the Souter total elbow prosthesis.
  • Cemented, unlinked, semi-constrained
  • Broad metallic plate acts against deforming force
Q2.What is the advantage of the short humeral stem in the Souter prosthesis?
  • Maintains humeral bone stock
Q3.What design features improve stability in the Souter prosthesis?
  • Deep groove for better stability
  • Ulnar stem made of UHMWPE
▸ Slide 813 · GSB IIIElbow · 3 questions expand
slide 813
Question list
Q1-Q33 questions — tap to reveal all answerslist
  1. What is the linkage mechanism of the GSB III total elbow prosthesis?
  2. How does the GSB III resist deforming forces?
  3. What is the complication of the GSB III prosthesis?
Answers · Q & A
Q1.What is the linkage mechanism of the GSB III total elbow prosthesis?
  • Linked semi-constrained with a floppy hinge
  • Large joint surface on the humeral component
Q2.How does the GSB III resist deforming forces?
  • Flange on the condyle acts against deforming force
  • Difficult in RA patients with deformed anatomy
Q3.What is the complication of the GSB III prosthesis?
  • Dislodged component