2. Clavicle
It is the most commonly fractured
bone in the body.
The fracture occurs due to falling
on the shoulder or the outstretched
hand.
It is most commonly fractured at
the junction of the middle and
outer thirds (weakest point).
3. The lateral fragment :
Depressed by the weight of the arm
Pulled medially and forwards by the
adductors of arm (especially
pectoralis major).
The medial fragment :
Pulled upward by the sternomastoid.
Involvement of supraclavicular
nerves can be the cause of
persistent pain over the side of the
neck.
4. Humerus
Fractures of the proximal
end:
Humeral head fracture:
may occur in anterior
or posterior
dislocations of shoulder
Greater tuberosity fracture:
It is due to direct
trauma, dislocation of
the shoulder joint or
due to violent
contraction of
supraspinatus muscle.
5. The bone fragment will
have the attachments
of the rotator cuff
muscles
Severe tearing of the
rotator cuff with the
dislocation can result in
the greater tubercle
remaining displaced
posteriorly even after
the joint is reduced.
Lesser tuberosity fracture
Surgical neck fractures: may result in
injury to axillary nerve
6. Humerus
Fractures of the shaft:
Are common
The displacement of the fragments
depends on the relation of the site
of fracture to the insertion of the
deltoid. muscle
If the fracture line is proximal to the
deltoid insertion:
The proximal fragment is adducted
by the pectoralis major, latissimus
dorsi and teres major.
The distal fragment is pulled
proximally by deltoid, biceps &
triceps.
If the fracture line is distal to the deltoid
insertion:
The proximal fragment is abducted
by deltoid.
The distal fragment is pulled
proximally by the biceps & triceps.
The radial nerve can be injured.
7. Humerus
Fractures of the lower
end:
Supracondylar fracture:
Common in
children
May injure median
nerve and brachial
artery
Medial epicondyle fracture:
May injure the ulnar
nerve
8. Radius
Fracture of the distal
end (Colle’s fracture):
It is due to a fall on the
outstretched hand in
patients over (50)
years.
The distal fragment of
the radius is pulled
posteriorly and
superiorly
The distal articular
surface is directed
posteriorly.
9. The posterior displacement produces a posterior bump.
The deformity is referred to as, ‘dinner-fork deformity’ because
the forearm and wrist resemble the shape of a dinner fork.
Smith’s fracture is a reversed Cole’s as the distal segment is
displaced anteriorly
10. Fracture of the Scaphoid Bone
Common in young adults
Fracture line passes through
the narrowest part of the
bone
The blood supply to scaphoid
may come from its distal end
and the only way the proximal
pole can receive any blood
supply and nutrients is through
the rest of the bone.
11. Thus a fracture of the scaphoid in the proximal pole or waist,
deprives the proximal fragment of its arterial supply, and this
fragment undergoes avascular necrosis.
If the fragments will not unite properly, there will be permanent
pain and weakness at the wrist
Deep tenderness in the anatomical snuff box after a fall on an
outstretched hand in a young adult is an indication of fracture of
scaphoid bone
12. Sternoclavicular Joint
Occasionally dislocated
because of strong ligaments
around
Anterior dislocation: medial end of
clavicle pulled forward and upward
Posterior dislocation: medial end of
clavicle pulled backward, which may
press trachea, esophagus & great vessels
in the root of the neck
Anterior
dislocation
13. Acromioclavicular Joint
The stability of the
acromioclavicular joint depends
on the strong coracoclavicular
ligament
The joint may get injured by a
severe blow such as a hard fall on
the shoulder.
14. The acromian thrusts beneath the lateral end of the clavicle
tearing the coracoclavicular ligament. This condition is called
shoulder separation, as the shoulder separates (falls away)
from the clavicle because of the weight of the upper limb.
The displaced lateral end of clavicle is easily palpable
15. Shoulder Joint
It is the most commonly dislocated
large joint.
Dislocations happen when a force
overcomes the strength of the
rotator cuff muscles and the
ligaments of the shoulder.
16. Nearly all dislocations are anterior
inferior dislocations, meaning that
the humerus slips out of the front of
the glenoid.
Only three percent of dislocations
are posterior dislocations, or out the
back.
17. Elbow Joint
Dislocations are common
and most are posterior. Are
more common in children,
due to a fall on outstretched
hand. The distal end of
humerus is pushed anteriorly
through weak part of the
capsule
Pulled Elbow: occurs in
children, when the child is
lifted by the upper limb. The
radial head is pulled out of
the annular ligament
18. Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
Results due to excessive
overhead activity of the
upper limb.
It is a common cause of
pain in the shoulder
region
Normally during
abduction of the shoulder
joint, friction between the
supraspinatus tendon and
the acromion is minimized
by the subacromial bursa.
19. Degenerative changes in the bursa are followed by
degenerative changes in the tendon of supraspinatus that
may extend to the tendons of the other rotator cuff
There is a spastic pain in the middle range of abduction.
20. Rupture of the Supraspinatus
Tendon
In advanced cases of
tendinitis, the necrotic
supraspinatus tendon
may become
calcified and rupture
The patient is unable
to initiate abduction
of the arm
21. Tennis Elbow
Caused by partial tear or
degeneration of the origin
of superficial extensor
muscles attached to the
lateral epicondyle
Due to excessive use of
these muscles as in tennis,
violinists and housewives.
Results in pain and
tenderness over the lateral
epicondyle that radiates to
the lateral side of the
forearm
22. Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Caused by partial tear or
degeneration of the origin
of superficial flexor muscles
attached to the medial
epicondyle
Due to excessive use of
these muscles as in playing
golf
Results in pain and
tenderness over the medial
epicondyle that radiates to
the medial side of the
forearm
23. Biceps Brachii & Osteoarthritis of the
Shoulder Joint
Advanced osteoarthritic
changes in the shoulder
joint can cause erosion
of the tendon of the
long head of biceps by
osteophytic changes.
The tendon may be
ruptured.
24. Volkmann’s Ischaemic
Contracture
It is the contractures of the muscles of the
forearm that follows fractures of the distal end
of the humerus or fractures of the radius and
ulna.
Spasm of a localized segment of the brachial
artery reduces the blood flow to the flexors
and extensor muscles so that they undergo
ischemic necrosis.
The flexor muscles are mostly affected
The muscles are replaced by fibrous tissue,
which contract and result in the deformity
25. 3 types of deformity exists:
The long flexors of the carpals
and fingers are more
contracted than extensors. The
wrist joint is flexed and the
fingers are extended.
The long extensors of the fingers
are greatly contracted. The wrist
and metacarpo-phalngeal
joints are extended. The
interphalngeal joints are flexed.
Both the flexor and extensor are
contracted:
The wrist joint and the
interphalangeal joints are
flexed. The metacarpo-
phalangeal joints are extended.
26. Dupuytren’s Contracture
It is a localized thickening
and contracture of the
palmar aponeurosis.
It commonly starts near
the root of the ring finger
pulling it to the palm and
flexing it at the
metacarpo-phalngeal
joint. Later the little finger
is involved.
27. In long standing cases prolonged pulling of
the fibrous sheaths of these two fingers would
flex their proximal interphalangeal joints
Their distal interphalangeal joints are not
involved and they actually become
extended
Dupuytren's disease is familial, and may be
associated with cigarette smoking, vascular
disease, epilepsy, and diabetes.
28. Compartment syndromes of the forearm
The deep facial sheath, the
interosseous membrane & the
fibrous intermuscular septae
divide the forearm into
compartments, that contain
muscles, vessels and nerves
There is very little room within
each compartment, and any
edema will cause secondary
vascular compression.
The veins are affected first and
later the arteries
29. Tenosynovitis & Infection of the Fascial
Spaces of Palm
May get infected and
distended with pus, after
penetrating wounds of the
palm