Peripheral Nerves

Question 1

What are the 3 nerves of the UE?

Answer 1

Median, Ulnar, Radial

Question 2

What are problems with peripheral nerves called?

Answer 2

neuropathy

Question 3

How is neuropathy caused?

Answer 3

-Trauma (cut, tear)
-Prolonged pressure
-Demyelination

Question 4

What is paresthesia?

Answer 4

Weird sensations when sensory input returning (burning, tingling, etc.)

Question 5

What is protective sensation?

Answer 5

Sensitivity to touch as well as temperature

Question 6

What is the Tinel’s sign test?

Answer 6

Percussion along the nerve to elicit response

Question 7

What does the Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament and Two-Point Discrimination Test do?

Answer 7

Tests light touch

Question 8

What is the O’Riain Wrinkle Test?

Answer 8

Keep hand submerged under water and observe a lack of wrinkles = nerve damage

Question 9

Where does the radial nerve travel on the UE?

Answer 9

Goes down posterior arm and hand

Question 10

Where does the ulnar nerve travel on the UE?

Answer 10

Down the ulnar side of hand and arm - one part shoots into the palm

Question 11

Where does the median nerve travel on the UE?

Answer 11

Down the anterior part of the arm, radial side

Question 12

What is crutch palsy?

Answer 12

Injury to radial nerve at axilla

Question 13

What is Saturday night palsy?

Answer 13

Radial injury at mid humerus

Question 14

What nerve is involved in Posterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome?

Answer 14

Radial

Question 15

How do you treat radial nerve injuries?

Answer 15

Cock-up splint (most common)
-Elbow flexion orthoses might be needed for a high level injury

Limit tension on the area of repair/injury

Question 16

What functions does the radial nerve do?

Answer 16

Elbow, wrist, MP extension

Question 17

What functions does the ulnar nerve do?

Answer 17

Power Grip
Strong wrist flexion
Key Pinch

Question 18

What is cubital tunnel syndrome?

Answer 18

Ulnar nerve injury at the elbow

Question 19

What is Guyon’s Canal Compression?

Answer 19

Ulnar nerve injury at the ulnar canal (anterior wrist)

Question 20

What do Froment’s Sign/Jeanne’s Sign test for?

Answer 20

Ulnar nerve deficit, key pinch

Question 21

How do you treat ulnar nerve injuries?

Answer 21

Use of a nighttime splint to limit elbow flexion

Question 22

What function does the median nerve have?

Answer 22

fine motor
sensation of 1-3 digits (lumbricals and opposition of thumb)

Question 23

What is Pronator syndrome?

Answer 23

Injury of the median nerve at the anterior forearm

Question 24

What is anterior interosseous syndrome?

Answer 24

Injury of the median nerve at the anterior forearm

Question 25

What is the Moberg Pickup test?

Answer 25

Picking up objects from the table with first 3 digits, tests the median nerve (Median Pickup)

Question 26

What is the sign of Benediction?

Answer 26

Tests for a more proximal median nerve injury

Question 27

How do you treat a median nerve injury?

Answer 27

Wrist cockup splint with the wrist in neutral. MP, thumb, or elbow support may also be necessary

Question 28

T/F: Distal peripheral nerve injuries are worse than proximal?

Answer 28

False Proximal is worse than distal.

Question 29

What are non-surgical treatments for nerve injuries?

Answer 29

Nerve gliding, sensory re-education, pain management (education, desensitization, modalities)

Question 30

What should you not do with nerve gliding?

Answer 30

Do not apply force at the end of movement as this increases strain

Question 31

What is the first step of sensory re-education?

Answer 31

Emphasize protection (compensate for loss of hot, cold, pain) -Use vision or protective clothing/orthoses, compensatory techniques

Question 32

Stereognosis is part of sensory re-education. What is it?

Answer 32

the ability to perceive the form of solid objects by touch

Question 33

After a nerve injury the body can ramp up pain sensitivity which can lead to what?

Answer 33

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Question 34

If protective sensation is compromised which PAMs should you NOT use?

Answer 34

Superficial heat or cold

Question 35

What is the Phalen's test?

Answer 35

Tests for carpal tunnel (median nerve)

Question 36

What is Wartenberg's Sign?

Answer 36

Involuntary abduction of 5th digit - makes a 'W' (ulnar nerve injury)