Musculoskeletal Key

Patellar Dislocation and Subluxation Description Patellar dislocation and subluxation are injuries to the kneecap (patella) that affect the joint it forms with the thigh bone (femur). The patella is a…

Shoulder Instability, Anterior Description Anterior shoulder instability is an injury to the shoulder joint that causes the upper arm bone (humerus) to be displaced from its normal position in the…

Medial Collateral Knee Ligament Sprain Description Medial collateral knee ligament sprain is a sprain (tear) of one of the four major ligaments of the knee. The medial collateral ligament (MCL)…

Herniated Disk (Ruptured Disk) Description Herniation is the term used to describe a sudden or gradual break in the supportive ligaments surrounding a spinal disk, which functions as a cushion…

Subscapularis Disruption Description Subscapularis disruption is characterized by pain and weakness in the shoulder as a result of partial or complete tearing of the subscapularis muscle and tendon from the…

Low-Back Strain Description Low-back strain is an injury to the muscles and tendons of the lower back. These muscles require great force to be able to stand upright, and the…

Ulnar Fracture Description An ulnar fracture is a complete or incomplete break of one of the bones of the forearm, the ulna, which extends from the elbow to the wrist….

Scapular Winging (Serratus Anterior Palsy, Long Thoracic Nerve Injury) Description Scapular winging is an uncommon nerve condition that causes pain and sometimes weakness in the shoulder. It involves injury to…

Biceps Tendon Disruption, Distal Description Distal biceps tendon disruption is a complete rupture of the elbow attachment of the biceps muscle. The biceps muscle attaches to bone via tendons: two…

Elbow Fracture (Radial Head) Description A radial head elbow fracture is a broken bone in the elbow involving the disk-shaped radial head. This break may be complete or incomplete. Common…