Libs Condition Chart Final
Libs Condition Chart Final
Condition Description: An elbow dislocation occurs when one of the articulating joint surfaces
of the forearm separate from the humerus. The elbow is the second most commonly dislocated
large joint in adults, but the most common large joint dislocation in children. Seven of every
100,000 individuals will suffer from an elbow dislocation; the demographic at the highest risk
for elbow dislocation is adolescent males.1 Elbow dislocations typically occur from a traumatic
accident, including falling on an outstretched hand, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries and
overuse. Following a fall on an outstretched hand, damage to the soft tissue surrounding the
elbow typically occurs, laterally to medially, in a sequential pattern, beginning with damage to
the lateral collateral ligament complex, resulting in a posterolateral rotary subluxation and
ending with damage to the medial collateral ligament complex, resulting in a posterior elbow
dislocation.2 Elbow dislocations vary in severity and dislocation direction. The three
classifications for elbow dislocation are simple, complex and severe. 3 An elbow dislocation is
classified as a simple dislocation if there is no major injury to the bone following dislocation. A
classification of a complex elbow dislocation is given if there is significant injury to both the
bones and the ligaments. Finally, a severe dislocation is when there is damage to the nerves
and blood vessels surrounding the elbow. The six different elbow dislocation directions are
posterior, postero-lateral, radial (Nursemaid’s elbow), ulnar, anterior and divergent.
Immediately following elbow dislocation, the patient may experience swelling, pain, weakness
at the joint, bruising, decreased range of motion, and the arm may appear deformed. 3
Succeeding acute trauma, a non-surgical or surgical procedure is necessary to stabilize and
reduce the elbow joint. The non-surgical approach calls for a closed elbow joint reduction
followed by temporary immobilization in 30 degrees elbow flexion for 7 days. Surgical repair is
necessary if a closed reduction is not possible or a joint re-dislocates. 4 Surgery is also deemed
necessary if the joint is unstable or has an associated elbow fracture.5 Following reduction of
the elbow joint, the patient may experience reduced elbow ROM and strength, reduced grip
strength, potential neurovascular symptoms in the distal forearm, pain and laxity of the
collateral ligaments, as well as elbow flexion contracture.6 However, the most common
complication following a simple elbow dislocation is elbow stiffness and loss of range of motion,
due to immobilization and static splinting of the arm following reduction. Immobilization that
extends beyond 25 days may lead to a flexion contracture of at least 30 degrees. 7 Structures
within the elbow that may contribute to contracture include the anterior capsule, collateral
ligaments and surrounding musculature. Early ROM is necessary to reduce the risk of
contracture following reduction. Elbow dislocations are not typically reoccurring. However,
inadequate immobilization of the elbow following injury, as well as failure of the lateral
collateral ligaments leads to joint instability and may play a role in reoccurrence of the
condition.8
Scenario: Ryan is an 18-year-old, healthy male who was playing football and fell on an
outstretched hand, with his elbow hyperextended and his shoulder slightly abducted. Following
the fall, he felt extreme pain at his right elbow. His elbow appeared swollen, bruised and
deformed. After an X-ray, the doctors confirmed that Ryan had suffered a simple posterior
                                                                                              Haley Libs
       elbow dislocation. Surgery was not required, but a gentle reduction maneuver, followed by
       immobilization of the elbow at 30 degrees elbow flexion (supported by a sling) was conducted.
       Today, 4 weeks post injury, the patient is complaining of pain on the medial and lateral aspects
       of the elbow, as well as difficulty extending the elbow to reach for objects in front of him. The
       patient has also reported difficulty grasping heavier objects, such as glass mugs and heavier
       food items from the cupboard. Ryan has been referred to an outpatient occupational therapy
       clinic to address his decrease in functional range of motion following immobilization. Ryan is a
       son, older brother, teammate and student. When Ryan is not in school, he helps his mom
       around the house to complete household chores and takes care of his 3-year-old little brother.
       He has stated that he enjoys throwing football with his brother in the backyard but has been
       unable to since his injury. The patient has stated he wants to get back to playing football,
       cooking with his mom and participating in class activities.
                                                                          Figure 2: Nobuta, S. (2018, August 01). Figure 1 B Elbow with adhesion of the
                                                                          anterior capsule. Arthrogram. Retrieved June 03, 2020, from
                                                                          https://www.researchgate.net/figure/B-Elbow-with-adhesion-of-the-anterior-
                                                                          capsule-Arthrogram-revealed-no-infiltration-of_fig2_51398228
supraglenoid tubercle and inserts on the radial         flexion for seven days. However, this
tuberosity. Immobilization at 30 degrees of elbow       may extend up to three weeks leading
flexion for an extended period of time may result in    to potential contracture. After
shortening of the biceps brachii. Adaptive              immobilization, the patient may
shortening of the biceps brachii will lead to           experience decreased ROM of the
decreased elbow extension. Supination and               elbow, as well as weakness of the
pronation may also be affected.                         under-used muscles. For example,
                                                        elbow flexors such as the biceps
Brachialis: Forearm flexor that originates on the       brachii and brachioradialis may
anterior humerus and inserts on the tuberosity of       become shortened due to prolonged
the ulna. The brachialis muscle is likely to be         immobilization. The triceps brachii
shortened following immobilization in the flexed        muscle may become lengthened and
position.                                               weakened due to lack of use and
                                                        immobilization. Therefore, elbow
Brachioradialis: This muscle originates on the          extension, as well as supination and
anterior humerus and inserts on the tuberosity of       pronation are likely to be affected.
the ulna. The brachioradialis is likely to be
shortened following immobilization for an extended      Adaptive Shortening:
period of time.                                         When the arm is immobilized in 30
                                                        degrees of elbow flexion, the forearm
Triceps Brachii: The triceps brachii will be            flexors (biceps brachii, brachialis, and
lengthened/weakened following immobilization in         brachioradialis) become shortened.
30 degrees of flexion. The triceps brachii originates   While the triceps brachii becomes
at the shoulder joint, then crosses the elbow and       lengthened due to the prolonged
inserts on the olecranon of the ulna. This is the       flexed position. The anterior capsule
primary elbow extensor. Thus, elbow extension will      also becomes shortened, contributing
be weakened.                                            to decreased ROM and subsequent
                                                        elbow flexion contractures.
Medial Collateral Ligament: Composed of the
anterior, posterior and transverse bundle. Following
immobilization, this ligament is likely to shorten
and weaken. This may be dangerous, as this
ligament prevents against valgus force.
                Distal
                     Decreased elbow extension, supination and
                       pronation.
                     Decreased forearm rotation at the DRUJ will
                       lead to increased supination at the hand and
                       fingers.
                     Pain when gripping heavier objects at the
                       medial and lateral epicondyle will decrease
                       use of the affected extremity.
Occupations11   Education- Writing, placing books in locker.                The following occupations are
                                                                                   affected for Ryan:
                Leisure- Throwing football with brother and playing     Education- The patient demonstrates
                football at school.                                     the inability to write and lift books
                                                                        into his locker using his right upper
                                                                               Haley Libs
IADLs- meal preparation, home management, child         extremity. The patient has difficulty
rearing.                                                manipulating a lock, due to shortened
                                                        and weakened muscles that produce
ADLs- LE dressing, toileting, eating, brushing teeth.   pronation and supination. Ryan is
                                                        unable to grasp a backpack with his
Social participation- Playing football with friends.    dominant hand.
participate in football.
        Occupation Adaptation
Education- Ryan is unable to write at
this time, however, Siri allows Ryan to
complete assignments using his voice.
Ryan is unable to pick up his backpack
with his dominant hand, therefore, he
will have to use his unaffected
extremity. The therapist will provide
education on proper positioning of his
backpack to decrease risk of further
injury (Both straps on back to ensure
even load).
       placed further away from the patient.                 assessment has been validated
      Push-off test14- Assessment of patient’s              for upper limb disabilities,
       ability to weight bear through the upper              including elbow conditions.
       extremity (specifically, through the elbow).        UEFI15- The UEFI is composed
       This assessment assists in assessing                  of 20 questions that help
       occupational limitations, as well as joint            assess functional use of the
       pathology. Numerous studies have shown                upper extremity. Within the
       that the push-off test is linked to function          assessment, the patient is
       and work limitations in those with elbow              asked to rank level of difficulty
       and wrist conditions.                                 when performing household
      Functional impairment test- hand, neck,               chores, work activities, lifting a
                       14
       shoulder arm - Used to assess gross motor             bag of groceries, washing hair,
       activities of the upper limb. Although this           pushing on your hands, driving
       assessment has been validated for severe              and participating in hobbies.
       and mild shoulder conditions, validation
       studies for elbow conditions have yet to be     Observation12-
       completed. Subtasks include reaching at a           Carrying angle- Assess for
       specific height, and prolonged manipulation           changes in carrying angle due
       at a height.                                          to recent elbow trauma.
      ABILHAND17- The ABILHAND has been                   General posture of upper
       validated for neuromuscular disorders and is          quadrant- Assess for internal
       used to measure manual ability of those               rotation of the humeral head
       with upper extremity impairments. This                and deviations from neutral
       measurement quantifies the adult’s ability            alignment of the forearm.
       to complete activities of daily living that         Trunk alignment- Assess for
       require the use of their affected upper               thoracic and cervical flexion as
       extremity. Tasks included in this assessment          well as the forward head
       including manipulating fasteners, meal                position.
       preparation, cutting fingernails, hammering         Scapular alignment – Assess
       a nail, wrapping gifts and more.                      for scapular mal-alignment
      Minnesota Rate of Manipulation Test      14, 18
                                                             such as scapular protraction,
       Similar to the box and blocks assessment,             internal rotation or depression
       this test can be administered at a distance         Swelling and deformity at
       to increase the demands of the elbow. This            elbow.
       large board test assesses gross motor
       movement quality and hand dexterity.
       During the placement and displacement
       test, the participant is asked to put blocks
       into the holes with one hand as quickly as
       possible.
    triceps brachii without moving the joint.          The patient will perform the
   Strengthening of the triceps- Patient will         same activities, but the lock
    perform 3 sets of 10 elbow extension               will be locked on a cabinet
    exercises to improve strength of the               within the outpatient clinic.
    weakened triceps brachii muscles. Grade            Therapist will educate patient
    down: Patient may perform elbow extension          on proper lifting mechanisms
    exercises with the arm resting on a table.         for picking up a backpack.
    Grade up: Patient may perform elbow               Football with little brother- In
    extension exercises while lying supine and         order to promote increased
    the shoulder abducted to 90 degrees                independence in leisure
    (working against gravity).                         activities such as playing
   Pronation and supination with weighted             football with his brother and
    dumb bell or hammer- Patient will perform          friends, the patient will
    2 sets of 10 supination and pronation              participate in a football
    exercises with a hammer, in order to               throwing activity with his
    improve active forearm supination and              brother. In a standing position,
    pronation range of motion.                         the patient will use his
   Stretching of pec minor: Patient will              opposite hand to support the
    perform 3 sets of 30 second pectoralis minor       distal end of the humerus on
    door stretches to decrease rounded                 the affected extremity. With a
    shoulder posture that is observed due to           small football in hand, the
    compensatory motions.                              patient will be asked to
   PAMS- Patient will heat the elbow to               perform three elbow (triceps
    improve tissue extensibility at the elbow          extension) extensions with the
    prior to activity. Patient will heat at the        football in hand. On the third
    beginning of session for 10 minutes (Note:         extension, the client will
    patient may heat while simultaneously              release the football and send
    performing prolonged elbow extension               it to his brother. The focus of
    stretch, if no inflammation is present22).         the exercise will be on slow
    After the cessation of exercise, the patient       and controlled elbow
    will perform 10 minutes of icing with an           extension movements to
    icepack in order to decrease inflammation          improve strength of the
    and decrease pain.                                 triceps brachii muscle. Patient
                                                       will perform 5 sets of 3
                                                       repetitions. Note: In order to
                                                       perform this task in a clinic,
                                                       the therapist will ask the
                                                       patient to bring his own
                                                       football.
                                                      Meal preparation - Patient will
                                                       improve active elbow
                                                       extension by grabbing various
                                                       food items from a refrigerator.
                                                       Patient will be asked to
                                                                                         Haley Libs
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                                                                                    Haley Libs
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