Brachial Plexus Injuries Flashcards
Which roots are typically injured in Erb’s palsy
C5- C6
Which nerves are usually affected in Erb’s Palsy
Musculocutaneous
Axillary
Suprascapula
Nerve to subclavius
Which muscles are usually affected in Erb’s Palsy
Biceps brachii Brachialis Coracobrachialis Teres minor Deltoid Supraspinatus Infraspinatus
What motor functions are affected by Erb’s Palsy
Abduction at shoulder
Lateral rotation of arm
Supination at forearm
Flexion at shoulder
State characteristics of Erb’s Palsy
- Affected limb hangs limply
- Medially rotated by unopposed action of pectoralis major
- Forearm is pronated due to loss of biceps brachii
- Wrist is weakly flexed due to normal action of wrist flexors relative to weakened wrist extensors
Which roots are injured in Klumpke’s Palsy
C8-T1
Which nerves are affected in Klumpke’s Palsy
Peripheral nerves derived from T1
Median nerve
Ulnar nerve
Which muscles are affected by Klumpke’s Palsy
Intrinsic hand muscles
What’s the primary feature of Klumpke’s Palsy
Clawed hand
Ape hand
Median nerve injury
Clawed hand
Ulnar nerve injury
Wrist drop
Radial nerve injury
Give an example of an upper plexus injury
Erb’s Palsy
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Give examples of lower plexus injuries
Klumpke’s Palsy
Crutch paralysis
Saturday night palsy
What is the nerve of elbow flexion
Musculocutaneous nerve
Which nerve supplies the deltoid
Axillary nerve (C5-6)
Define and describe neuropraxia
A transient episode of motor paralysis with little or no sensory or autonomic dysfunction.
No disruption of the nerve or it’s sheath occurs.
With removal of compressive force, recovery should be complete
Define and describe axonotmesis
More severe nerve injury with disruption of the axon but with maintenance of Schwann sheath.
Motor, sensory and autonomic paralysis occurs
Define and describe neurotmesis
Nerve and it’s sheath are disrupted.
Even though recovery may occur, it is never complete
Which nerve supplies the brachioradialis muscle
Radial nerve (C5,6,7)
Which nerve supplies carpal extensors
Radial nerve (C6,7)
Which nerve supplies digital extensors
Radial nerve (C7,8)
Which nerve supplies flexors of the wrist
Median nerve (C6,7,8)
Which nerve contributes to wrist flexion
Ulnar nerve (C8, T1)
What causes Thoracic outlet syndrome
Compression of certain nerves and blood vessels
Which nerves are mostly affected by crutch paralysis
Radial and ulnar nerve
How does crutch paralysis usually present
Pain and wrist drop
Which nerve is affected by Saturday night palsy
Radial nerve
