Joint and Tendon Injuries

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Clinical Description

• Usually due to sports injuries, road accidents, assault and occupational hazards
• Classification
  • Dislocations\Fracture-dislocations\subluxations
  • Haemarthrosis: as a complication of severe injury or spontaneously in haemophilia
  • Ligamentous and tendon injuries: occur following twisting, traction or bending forces

Clinical Features

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Pain, swelling, loss of function, deformity, crepitus (if there is an associated fracture) and neurovascular complications.
• Commonly shoulder, hip, elbow and ankle.

INVESTIGATIONS 

• Diagnosis is made after clinical examination and radiology.
• Always look for neurovascular complications.

Treatment 

• Treatment of dislocation should be urgent because of irreversible damage to cartilage and neurovascular structures; and to relive pain.
• Urgent reduction and immobilization.
• Check X−ray and refer if reduction is not congruent.
• In children suspect epiphyseal/growth plate injuries and refer to surgeons
• Period of immobilization is dependent on joint stability and associated injuries