4 - Upper Extremities Mononeuropathies Flashcards
Mention the Shoulder Stabilizers ๐๐ Dr. Jamal
DYNAMIC STABELIZER
- Rotator cuff muscles
- Deltoid
- Scapular stabilizers (e.g., trapezius, serratus anterior)
- Long head of the biceps tendon
- Teres major
- Latissimus dorsi
STATIC STABELIZER
- Glenoid (shallow articular surface located on the lateral angle of the scapula)
- Labrum (fibrocartilaginous tissue within the glenoid cavity)
- Shoulder capsule (ligaments connect the humerus (the upper arm bone) to the glenoid (the shoulderโs socket) and stabilize the joint)
- Glenohumeral ligament (three ligaments on the anterior side of the glenohumeral joint)
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 4 MSK pg154
Medial vs Lateral Winging ๐๐ EXAM
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 EDX pg407
Root and Branch of Long Thoracic Nerve, EDX for shoulder winging & Treatment
๐ก C5, C6 and C7 spinal nerve root โ Long Thoracic Nerve
NCS of Motor Nerve
- SNAP: Not available
- CMAP: Abnormal
EMG
- Abnormal activity
- Serratus anterior with a long thoracic nerve injury
- Trapezius and SCM with spinal accessory nerve injury
Treatment of serratus anterior injury/injury to the long thoracic nerve
- Acute stage, pain reduction and ROM exercise
- Intermediate stage, passive stretching of the rhomboids, levator scapulae, and pectoralis minor
- Late stage, strengthening exercise of all shoulder girdle muscles, including the trapezius.
- Surgical repair with a dynamic muscle transfer in case of failed conservative treatment
Treatment of trapezius palsy/injury to the spinal accessory nerve
- Strengthen adjacent muscle groups, including rhomboids and levator scapulae.
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 EDX pg407
Describe the difference between a long thoracic nerve palsy and a C5โC6 radiculopathy ๐๐REVIEW
Long thoracic nerve palsy
Causes winging of the scapula with the arms outstretched because of weakness of the serratus anterior muscle.
C5โC6 radiculopathy
Shoulder and arm muscles (e.g., deltoid, biceps, supraspinatus) will remain normal.
Neurology Secrets 6th Edition Chapter 32 EDX pg472
If pt. cannot do abduction from 0-15; what nerve affected?๐๐ EXAM
Suprascapular nerve, supraspinatous muscle
Patient with right scapular fracture, now presents with difficulty with arm abduction initiation but full active range of motion. On examination normal sensory only weakness with ER and Abduction, no sensory findings.๐๐ EXAM
What muscles are affected?
What nerve is affected?
On EMG what location for the lesion is important to rule out.
Muscle
- Supraspinatous (Initial abduction)
- Infraspinatus (External rotation)
Nerve
- Suprascapular nerve
EMG
- Infraspinatous to rule out lesion in supascapular notch - ligament
My Answer
Origin of Suprascapular nerve
List 4 causes of suprascapular nerve palsy
EDX result of supracapular nerve entrapment
๐ก C5 and C6 spinal nerve roots โ upper trunk โ suprascapular nerve
Coarse
It runs through the suprascapular notch, which is covered by the transverse scapular ligament and branches to innervate the supraspinatus. The nerve then wraps around the spinoglenoid notch to innervate the infraspinatus
Causes
- Sports with repetitive overhead throwing/hitting volleyball
- Neuralgic amyotrophy (C5-C6)
- Spinal accessory nerve
- Axillary nerve
- Suprascapular nerve
- Long thoracic nerve
- Anterior interosseus nerve [AIN]
- Trauma like penetration injury
- Traction like stinger, Erbโs Palsy or rotator cuff tear
- Compression like entrapment or cyct or hematoms
Clinical Presentation
- Weakness in abduction (SS)
- External rotation (IS)
NCS
- SNAP not available
- CMAP: Abnormal
EMG:
- Abnormal activity in both SS and IS muscles (entrapment at suprascapular notch)
- Abnormal activity in IS only (entrapment is at the spinoglenoid notch)
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 EDX pg405-406
How is a suprascapular nerve lesion differentiated from a C5โC6 radiculopathy?
Suprascapular nerve lesion
- Preservation of the deltoid, biceps, and rhomboid muscles
- Abnormalities in the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles
A rotator cuff tear will show normal EMG of all the shoulder muscles
Neurology Secrets 6th Edition Chapter 32 EDX pg472
Devision of axillary nerve 3 marks
1- Anterior Branch
Supply Middle and anterior deltoid
2- Posterior Branch
Supplies Teres minor & Posterior deltoid
3- Superior lateral brachial cutaneous nerve (axillary sensory nerve)
Root and Coarse & Branches of Axillary nerve 4 marks
๐ก Teres major is supplied by Lower subscapular nerve (C5-C7) which branches from posterior cord BEFORE axillary nerve.
Root
- Upper trunk โ Posterior divisions & cord โ Axillary n. (C5-6)
Branch
- Deltoid
- Teres minor
- Superior lateral cutaneous n. of the arm
Cuccurollo 4th Eiditon Chapter 5 EDX pg404-405
Axillary nerve palsy Etiology, PEx & EDx.
Axillary nerve injury Presentation. 4 marks ๐๐
Etiology
- Traction or compression from a shoulder dislocation
- Humeral head fracture
- Improper axillary crutch use.
Clinical presentation
- Weakness of shoulder flexion
- Weakness of shoulder abduction (deltoid weakness)
- Weakness of shoulder external rotation (teres minor weakness).
- Abnormal sensation of the lateral shoulder (lat cut n. of arm)
NCS:
- SNAP not available
- CMAP: Abnormal
EMG:
- Abnormal activity in the deltoid & teres minor.
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 EDX pg405
Radial Nerve Origin & Coarse ๐๐ Motor and sensory branches.
ROOT
- C5-T1 โ upper, middle, and lower trunks โ posterior division & cord โ radial n.
COURSE
- Posterior to the axillary artery goes in between triceps.
- Long and medial heads of the triceps muscle toward the spiral groove
- Distally between the brachioradialis and brachialis
- Terminate in forearm as motor (PIN) and sensory (superficial) branch
ARM
-
Above Spiral Groove โ Muscles & Sensation Above Elbow
- Triceps brachii
- Anconeus
- Posterior cutaneous nerve of arm
- Lower lateral cutaneous nerve of arm
-
Below Spiral Groove โ Two Radialis & Sensation Below Elbow
- Brachioradialis (BR)
- Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus (ECR L)
- Posterior cutaneous nerve of the forearm
ELBOW
- Superficial radial sensory nerve
- Posterior Interosseus Nerve (PIN) ุนุตุจ ุงูู
ุดุงุจู
- Supinator
- Extensor Wrist Compartment ๐๐ EXAM Q
1st : Abductor pollicis longus (APL) + Extensor pollicis brevis (EPB)
2nd: Extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECR-B)
3rd: Extensor pollicis longus (EPL)
4th: Extensor digitorum communis (EDC) + Extensor indicis proprius (EIP)
5th: Extensor digiti minimi (EDM)
6th: Extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU)
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 EDX pg400-401
When to consider root injury in case of radial n. injury? 4 marks
๐ก In any EDX question, think neuro examination + EDX study result
Sensory
- Dermatomal sensory loss rather than peripheral nerve distribution
Motor
- Involvement of median or ulnar innervated C7 and C8 muscles
NCS
- Normal sensory study (SNAP)
EMG
- Involvement of cervical paraspinals
When to consider posterior cord injury or C7-8 radiculopathy in case of radial n. injury?
Posterior Cord (Plexopathy)
- Sensory loss around the deltoid muscle and upper arm.
- Weakness of the deltoid muscle +/- subscapular muscles
C7-8 Radiculopathy
- Involvement median (C5-T1) or ulnar n. (C8-T1)
- Involvement of cervical paraspinals (Neck pain)
Neurology Secrets 6th Edition Chapter 32 pg 472-473
What is the key muscle in differentiating a radial nerve palsy from a C7 radiculopathy? ๐๐
Flexor carpi radialis is a C7 muscle but is innervated by the median nerve.
Neurology Secrets 6th Edition Chapter 32 EDX pg472
How is a radial nerve palsy differentiated from a brachial plexus posterior cord lesion?
Lesion in the posterior cord of the brachial plexus, abnormal both
- Deltoid muscle (axillary nerve)
- Radial-innervated muscles
Radial nerve palsy
- Spared Deltoid muscle (axillary nerve)
- Affected Radial-innervated muscles
Neurology Secrets 6th Edition Chapter 32 EDX pg472
List 8 muscles innervated by Radial nerve ๐๐
List 3 Muscles functioning at the wrist joint which are innervated by radial n. ๐
List 4 Sensory branches of radial nerve ๐
Above the Elbow โExtensionโ
- Triceps
- Anconeus
At the Elbow โFlexionโ
- Brachioradialis
Below the Elbow โPIN, Extensionโ
- Supinator
- Abd. poll. longus
- Ext. poll. longus & brevis
- ECR longus & brevis
- Finger extensors
- ECU
Wrist Joint ู ุดุงุจู
- Extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECR-B)
- Extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU)
- Supinator
Sensory
- Posterior cutaneous n. of the arm
- Lower Lateral cutaneous n. of the arm
- Posterior cutaneous n. of the forearm
- Superficial radial sensory n.
Crutch Palsy: Injury - PEx - EDx. ๐๐
Injury
- Posterior cord of the brachial plexus, most commonly affecting the radial nerve.
Clinical presentation
- Weakness of deltoid muscles
- Weakness in all radial nerve innervated muscles, including the triceps brachii.
- Sensation will be decreased over the posterior arm, forearm and hands.
- Diminished triceps reflex (LMN)
EDXs
Posterior cords Injury
- Abnormal SNAPs and CMAPs of radial, axillary, and/or suprascapular nerves.
- Abnormal EMG activity in corresponding muscles
Isolated Radial Injury
- Abnormal radial SNAP and CMAPs
- Abnormal EMG activity in all radial nerve innervated muscles
Managment
๐ก External compression typically causes neurapraxia that recovers within 2 months.
- Remove compression: Discontinuing crutch use
- Static cock up splint or dynamic splinting
- No recovery within 8 to 10 weeks, surgical exploration is indicated
- No return of function after 1 year, refer for tendon transfer
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 EDX pg401
Radial entrapment at the upper arm vs elbow. How to distinguish in clinical examination. ๐๐ Hint: it neuro examination (sensory - motor - reflexes)
Above Spiral Groove โ Muscles & Sensation Above Elbow
- Triceps brachii
- Anconeus
- Posterior cutaneous nerve of arm
- Lower lateral cutaneous nerve of arm
Below Spiral Groove โ Two Radialis & Sensation Below Elbow
- Brachioradialis (BR)
- Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus & Brevis (ECR L & B)
- Posterior cutaneous nerve of the forearm
Elbow
- PIN
- Supinator
Radial entrapment at the upper arm vs elbow. How to distinguish in clinical examination. ๐๐ Saturday night palsy Etiology, PEx, EDx & Treatment.
Location
- Radial nerve injury at the spiral groove, compression, trauma or humeral fractures.
Etiology
- Humeral fractures
- Compression: Saturday night palsy or honeymoonerโs palsy.
- IM injection
- Iatrogenic injury (upper limb surgery)
Sensory
- Sensory deficits dorsal aspect of the hand and posterior forearm
- Intact sensation of posterior and lateral arm
Motor
- Preservation of elbow extension (triceps, anconeus)
- Weakness of elbow flexion (BR)
- Weakness of PIN muscles
- Weakness of supination (supinator)
- Wrist drop (ECR-L, ECR-B, ECU weakness)
- Weak finger extension (EDC weakness)
Reflexes
- Diminished brachioradialis reflex.
- Spared triceps and biceps reflexes
NCS
- Abnormal radial SNAPs and CMAP
- Normal triceps study
EMG
- Abnormal activity in all radial nerve innervated muscles below the spiral groove
- Normal triceps study
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 EDX pg401
Posterior Interosseous Nerve, Mention the motor and sensory supply. ๐๐ EXAM 2020
Motor ู ุดุงุจู
- Supinator muscle
- Extensor compartment of the wrist
Sensory
- Dorsal wrist joint capusle (proprioception)
- No cutaneous innervation
Last muscle to recover is the extensor indicis proprius.
List 5 radial muscles that are not innervated by PIN. ๐๐ Patient with elbow fracture, mention which radial muscles that are spared? ๐๐
- Triceps
- Anconeus
- Brachioradialis (BR)
- Extensor carpi radialis longus (ECR-L)
- Extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECR-B)
Radial tunnel syndrome (Brachial Family) Etiology, PEx & EDx.
Supinator Syndrome Etiology, PEx & EDx.
RADIAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
Etiology
- Entrapped radial n. between the brachialis and BR in the radial tunnel in the elbow.
PEx
- Lateral proximal forearm pain that worsens with activity
- approximately 3 to 4 cm distal to the lateral epicondyle.
- Can mimic lateral epicondylitis.
EDX
- NCS and needle EMG studies are typically normal
SUPINATOR SYNDROME (Lesion of the PIN)
Causes
- Compression of the nerve at the Arcade of Frohse
- Lipoma, ganglion cyst, synovitis from RA
- Monteggia fracture: fall on an outstretched hand with the forearm in pronation.
PEx (Pure Motor Syndrome, PIN is just like AIN of median nerve)
- Intact triceps
- Intact brachioradialis
- Intact radial deviation (ECR gets innervated before supinator muscle)
- +/- Supinator
- Wrist and finger drop (finger extensors and ECU)
- Intact sensory branches on arm & forearm
NCS
- Normal sensory radial nerve SNAP (itโs a motor syndrome)
- Abnormal radial CMAP motor study for PIN innervated muscles.
EMG
- Abnormal activity in the muscles innervated by the PIN
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 EDX pg402
How to different between lateral epicondylitis and radial tunnel syndrome? ๐๐
RADIAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
- Resisted extension of the third digit during elbow extension
- Resisted supination
- Palpation of the radial tunnel
LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS (TENNIS ELBOW)
- Palpation directly on the lateral epicondyle
- Cozenโs test: Pain on resisted wrist extension
- Less pain on resisted supination
Cuccurollo 4th Edition Chapter 5 EDX pg402