L 14 Musculoskeletal Conditions – Upper Extremities (Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist & Hand)

Vocabulary flashcards covering major upper-extremity musculoskeletal conditions, key physical-exam tests, and related terminology for exam preparation.

Impingement Syndrome (Shoulder)

Mechanical compression of rotator-cuff tendons or the subacromial bursa during overhead motion, producing anterolateral shoulder pain, night pain, and positive Neer’s/Hawkins tests.

Idiopathic Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)

Self-limited inflammation and fibrosis of the glenohumeral joint capsule causing progressive loss of both active and passive ROM, classically in middle-aged women and diabetics.

Hawkins Impingement Sign

Physical-exam maneuver—shoulder and elbow at 90°, arm internally rotated—that elicits pain when the greater tuberosity is forced under the coracoacromial ligament; positive in subacromial impingement.

Neer’s Impingement Sign

Exam test in which the internally-rotated arm is passively elevated while the scapula is stabilized; pain indicates impingement of supraspinatus or bursa beneath the acromion.

Empty Can Test

Strength test for supraspinatus: arms at 90° forward elevation, internally rotated (thumbs down); weakness or pain against resistance suggests supraspinatus tear.

Drop Arm Sign

Patient slowly lowers fully abducted arm; inability to control descent or hold at 90° indicates supraspinatus tear.

Shoulder Separation (AC Separation)

Injury to acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments—usually from a direct blow to shoulder—graded I–VI; Types I–II treated conservatively, III–VI often need surgery.

Rotator Cuff (SITS Muscles)

Group of four muscles—Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor, Subscapularis—that stabilize the glenohumeral joint but have poor vascularity and slow healing.

Calcific Tendonitis

Deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals within rotator-cuff tendons, producing shoulder pain in adults 40–60; x-ray/US show calcifications.

Biceps Tendinosis

Degeneration and pain of the long-head biceps tendon, often accompanying rotator cuff disease; positive Yergason’s or Speed’s tests.

Rotator Cuff Tear

Partial or full-thickness disruption of rotator-cuff tendon(s), usually supraspinatus; presents with weakness, night pain, limited active ROM, positive impingement tests; full tears often surgical.

Subacromial Space

Anatomical area between the acromion and humeral head housing rotator-cuff tendons and bursa—site of impingement pathology.

Olecranon Bursitis

Inflammation of the olecranon bursa causing posterior elbow swelling; may be traumatic, inflammatory, or septic (Staph aureus common).

Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)

Tendinopathy of flexor-pronator origin at medial epicondyle; pain with resisted wrist flexion/pronation.

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Tendinopathy of extensor carpi radialis brevis at lateral epicondyle; pain with resisted wrist or third-digit extension.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Median-nerve compression within carpal tunnel causing nocturnal hand paresthesias, thenar weakness, positive Tinel, Phalen, or carpal-compression tests.

Tinel Sign (Wrist)

Tingling or “electric shock” in median-nerve distribution when the volar wrist is percussed; indicates CTS.

Phalen Sign

Paresthesia in median-nerve distribution after wrist flexion to 90° for 60 s; diagnostic for CTS.

Carpal Compression Test

Reproduction of CTS symptoms by direct thumb pressure over the carpal tunnel for 30 s; high sensitivity/specificity.

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

Stenosing tenosynovitis of abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis in first dorsal compartment, causing radial-styloid pain; positive Finkelstein’s test.

Finkelstein’s Test

Patient tucks thumb into fist; clinician ulnar-deviates wrist—radial-styloid pain is positive for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.

Boutonniere Deformity

Flexion of PIP with hyperextension of DIP from central extensor tendon rupture; splint PIP in extension, surgery if fracture present.

Jersey Finger

Avulsion of flexor digitorum profundus from distal phalanx (often ring finger) causing inability to flex DIP; requires surgical repair.

Mallet Finger (Baseball Finger)

Disruption of terminal extensor tendon at DIP, leading to flexed DIP and inability to extend; treated with DIP extension splint 6–8 weeks.

Swan Neck Deformity

PIP hyperextension with DIP flexion secondary to extensor tendon imbalance; seen in RA, chronic mallet finger, neurological disorders.

Dupuytren Contracture

Progressive fibrotic thickening of palmar fascia causing flexion contractures of 4th/5th digits; collagenase injection or surgical release for severe cases.

Trigger Finger

Stenosing flexor tenosynovitis causing finger locking/snapping during flexion; treated with NSAIDs, splinting, steroid injection, or surgery.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Chronic symmetric inflammatory polyarthritis causing joint erosions, morning stiffness > 1 h, nodules, positive RF/anti-CCP; managed with early DMARDs.

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

Medications such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine that slow RA disease progression and prevent joint damage.

Olecranon Process

Proximal projecting portion of ulna forming elbow’s bony tip; landmark for bursitis evaluation.

Scaphoid

Most commonly fractured carpal bone, located in the anatomic snuff box; tenderness here after FOOSH warrants imaging.

Anatomical Snuff Box

Triangular depression on radial dorsal wrist bordered by EPL and EPB/APL tendons; tenderness suggests scaphoid fracture.