Elbow, Wrist, & Hand!

Today...

Elbow:

Anatomy, Injuries,

Treatment, & Rehabilitation

Bones of the Elbow

Humerus Radiusulna

Ligaments of the Elbow

Medial CollateralLateral CollateralAnnular ligament

Muscles of the Elbow

BicepsTricepsBrachialis

Elbow Dislocation

May result in serious damage to ligaments, arteries, veins, and nerves

paralysis of the fingers, arm, or hand is possible

Treatment: Elbow Dislocation

Don’t move the injury!Splint it as it is and apply icepacks.

Go to ER immediately.

Elbow Hyperextension

Elbow is forced past its usual range of motion (ROM)

athlete will keep the elbow in a bent position and won’t want to straighten the arm

TX: Hyperextension

RICE methodcheck for deformity, swelling, discoloration, and point tenderness

Tennis Elbow

Inflammation of the lateral epicondoyle of the humerus

Tennis Elbow

Causes: overuse, weakness, poor technique, lack of flexibility, or inadequate warmup

Tennis Elbow

Athlete will experience general weakness of the muscles of the lower arm

Little League Elbow

Occurs in younger athletes when the muscle is stronger than the bone

Muscle pulls away a bone chip from the arm

Little League Elbow

Possible for ulnar nerve to be injured, resulting in numbness, weakness, or tingling of the forearm, hand, or fingers (check CSM!!!)

TX: LL Elbow

RICEsee physician or go to ER

Wrist & Hand:

Anatomy, Injuries, Treatment, & Rehabilitation

Bones: Wrist & Hand

Distal ends of the radius and ulna

carpalsmetacarpalsphalanges

Wrist Sprains & Fractures

Most common of all the upper extremity injuries

because there are so many small wrist bones, always see a doctor to check for fractures

TX: Sprains & Fractures

RICE methodalways check for point tenderness

Check CSM!!!

Sprained Thumb

Very common in basketball

sprain of the M-P joint at the base of the thumb

Sprained Thumb

See physician, especially if there is pain going up through the wrist or the athlete is unable to pinch the thumb & forefinger together

Jammed Finger

Sprain of the PIP jointusually very painful but pain does not last

RICE“buddy taping”

Dislocated Finger

Obvious deformity, swelling, pain

splint as is--do not try to reduce the dislocation!

RICE, CSM

Mallet Finger

Caused by a direct blowextensor tendon of one of the distal phalanges is torn from the bone

Mallet Finger

Tendon may pull off part of the bone (called an avulsion fracture)

Mallet Finger

The athlete won’t be able to hold the finger straight; the finger will appear to be hanging

RICE, immediate transport to ER

Ripped Hands

Caused by severe calluses (common in gymnastics)

best treatment is prevention!