B14. TOS And Cervical Flashcards
What are the mechanisms of injury that cause traumatic brachiplexopathy?
- hyperabduction of the arm causes traction of the brachial plexus
- lateral compression causes traction of the brachial plexus and NR, but plexus more at risk
- slow postural load that traction the brachial plexus
What is the prognosis for brachial plexus injuries?
- usually resolve on their own but recurrent injuries can lead to muscle weakness
How would you differentiate between nerve root lesion and brachial plexus injury
EMG and nerve conduction study
What muscles are weak/paralyzes with an upper trunk (C5-C6) brachioplexopathy?
- shoulder abductors
- elbow flexors
- infraspinatus
NOTE: waiter’s tip posture
What muscles are weak/paralyzes with a middle (C7) trunk brachioplexopathy?
- extensors of the forearm, wrist and fingers
What muscles are weak/paralyzes with a lower trunk (C8-T1) brachioplexopathy?
- wrist and finger flexors
- intrinsic muscle of the hand
NOTE: causes claw hand
What are the sympathetic changes that can accompany a lower trunk brachioplexopathy?
- Edema and trophic changes in the forearm and hand
- Horner’s syndrome
What are the sympathetic changes that can accompany a upper trunk brachioplexopathy?
Horner’s syndrome
What are stingers/burners?
Injuries to nerves in the arm/neck, usually fro contact sports, that cause intense pains that occur when the nerves that run from the neck to the arm are stretched or compressed
What is neurapraxia?
a type of peripheral nerve injury (known as the mildest form of nerve injury) that is classified as a transient conduction block of motor or sensory function without nerve degeneration. It occurs with stingers/burners
What is TOS?
A group of conditions creating arm and sometimes neck symptoms due to entrapment of the neurovascular bundle within the thoracic outlet
What are the common causes of TOS?
- postural
- over use
- trauma
- congenital anomalies
What structures in the thoracic outlet can become entrapped in TOS?`
- brachial plexus
- subclavian artery
- subclavian vein
What are the bony margins of the thoracic inlet/“outlet”?
- T1 vertebrae posteriorly
- Rib 1 laterally
- manubrium and 1st costal cartilage anteriorly
What muscles are doing the compressing in TOS?
- anterior scalene
- pectoralis minor
- subclavian
There are three areas of compromise possible in TOS. What are they? What structures are involved?
- supraclavicular (compression occurs at the interscalene triangle due to anterior scalene and/or cervical rib)
- costoclavicular (compression occurs between first rib and clavicle doe to subclavian muscle, broken clavicle, etc.)
- infraclavicular (compression occurs between the coracoid process and tendon of pec minor usually form hyperabduction injury)
What postural things can contribute to TOS?
- “drooping” shoulder girdle posture
- forward head carriage
- tight pectoralis major
- upper cross syndrome
- poor work ergonomics
- long periods of hyperabduction (sleep posture, recreation, work)
- carrying heavy weights on back or shoulder
What are the three types of TOS?
- non specific
- true neurogenic
- vascular
How common is arterial or venous compression with TOS?
Rare
- 1-2% of TOS have venous compression
- 1-5% of TOS have arterial compression
How is the diagnosis of vascular TOS made?
Constellation of prominent vascular signs and symptoms, NOT loss of pulse during classic TOS orthopedic tests
Which are more valuable indicators of vascular TOS, symptoms or signs?
Signs from the physical are more robust
What are the signs of venous compromise in TOS?
- non-pitting edem
- cyanosis
- ecchymosis
- distended engorgement of superficial veins in infra clavicular area, upper extremity and chest