What is a Volkmann fracture?

Volkmann contracture is a deformity of the hand, fingers, and wrist caused by injury to the muscles of the forearm. The condition is also called Volkmann ischemic contracture.

What are 5 signs & symptoms of a Volkmann’s contracture?

Compartment syndrome hallmarks have been the 5 Ps: pain out of proportion, pallor, paresthesias, paralysis, and pulselessness. Pain out of proportion and pain with passive stretching of the fingers are considered the first and most sensitive signs of compartment syndrome in an awake patient.

What is the treatment for Volkmann’s contracture?

Treatment depends on the severity of the contracture: For mild contracture, muscle stretching exercises and splinting the affected fingers may be done. Surgery may be needed to make the tendons longer. For moderate contracture, surgery is done to repair the muscles, tendons, and nerves.

What is a Supracondylar?

The humerus (HU mer us) bone is the long, thick bone in the upper arm that extends from the shoulder to the elbow. Your child’s humerus is fractured (broken) near the elbow area, just above the joint. This is called a supracondylar (supra CON dy ler) humerus fracture.

Which nerve is affected in Colles fracture?

Stable Colles’ fractures present with minimal comminution. Unstable fractures are distinctly comminuted often with corresponding avulsions of the radial or ulnar styloid, that have the potential to cause compression neuropathies, especially of the median nerve.

Which nerve is involved in Volkmann’s contracture?

All these muscles are innervated by the median nerve. The exceptions are flexor carpi ulnaris (innervated by the ulnar nerve) and flexor digitorum profundus sharing a dual nerve supply from both ulnar and median nerves. Both these groups are involved in the development of Volkmann ischemic contracture.

What is ischemic contracture?

Volkmann contracture (or Volkmann ischemic contracture) is a permanent shortening (contracture) of forearm muscles, usually resulting from injury, that gives rise to a clawlike deformity of the hand, fingers, and wrist. It is more common in children. A similar condition can occur in the foot.

What is the earliest indication of Volkmann’s ischemia?

The clinical presentation of Volkmann contracture includes what is commonly referred to as the five Ps: pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesias, and paralysis. Of these, pain is the earliest sign.

Where is the Volkmann’s canal?

Volkmann’s canals, also known as perforating holes or channels, are anatomic arrangements in cortical bones. Volkmann’s canals are inside osteons. They interconnect the haversian canals with each other and the periosteum.

How can you prevent compartment syndrome?

You can prevent exertional compartment syndrome by:
Building exercise endurance gradually, instead of doing too much too soon.Changing your body positions when you exercise (for example, mixing up your gait when you run).Improving flexibility.Not overtraining your muscles.Wearing proper shoes.

What muscles are responsible for flexing your fingers?

The flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) is an extrinsic hand muscle that flexes the metacarpophalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers.

What is a decompression fasciotomy?

Compartment decompression, also called ‘decompressive fasciotomy’, is a surgical procedure to treat a painful knee condition known as “compartment syndrome”.

What is a bone contracture?

Contractures are the chronic loss of joint mobility caused by structural changes in non-bony tissue, including muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They develop when these normally elastic tissues are replaced by inelastic tissues.

Where is the flexor digitorum?

Flexor digitorum profundus is a fusiform muscle located deep within the anterior (flexor) compartment of the forearm. Along with the flexor pollicis longus and pronator quadratus muscles, it comprises the deep flexor compartment of the forearm.

When does a supracondylar fracture need surgery?

A bone will heal naturally after a few weeks without surgery if your bone fragments are not out of place. You will require surgery if the bone is displaced when fractured. The surgeon will put the bone back into place and may use thin pins placed in the ends of the bone to hold it in place while it heals.

Can adults have supracondylar fracture?

Supracondylar fractures are the most common type of upper arm injury in children. They are frequently caused by a fall on an outstretched elbow or a direct blow to the elbow. These fractures are relatively rare in adults.

What artery is affected in supracondylar fracture?

Because displacement of the supracondylar humerus fractures in children often causes serious injuries to vascular structures of the affected limb. The brachial artery is mostly affected due to its intimacy with the humerus.