Brachial Plexus Injuries

Question 1

Which roots are typically injured in Erb’s palsy

Answer 1

C5- C6

Question 2

Which nerves are usually affected in Erb’s Palsy

Answer 2

Musculocutaneous
Axillary
Suprascapula
Nerve to subclavius

Question 3

Which muscles are usually affected in Erb’s Palsy

Answer 3

Biceps brachii
Brachialis 
Coracobrachialis 
Teres minor
Deltoid 
Supraspinatus
Infraspinatus

Question 4

What motor functions are affected by Erb’s Palsy

Answer 4

Abduction at shoulder
Lateral rotation of arm
Supination at forearm
Flexion at shoulder

Question 5

State characteristics of Erb’s Palsy

Answer 5

1. Affected limb hangs limply
2. Medially rotated by unopposed action of pectoralis major
3. Forearm is pronated due to loss of biceps brachii
4. Wrist is weakly flexed due to normal action of wrist flexors relative to weakened wrist extensors

Question 6

Which roots are injured in Klumpke’s Palsy

Answer 6

C8-T1

Question 7

Which nerves are affected in Klumpke’s Palsy

Answer 7

Peripheral nerves derived from T1
Median nerve
Ulnar nerve

Question 8

Which muscles are affected by Klumpke’s Palsy

Answer 8

Intrinsic hand muscles

Question 9

What’s the primary feature of Klumpke’s Palsy

Answer 9

Clawed hand

Question 10

Ape hand

Answer 10

Median nerve injury

Question 11

Clawed hand

Answer 11

Ulnar nerve injury

Question 12

Wrist drop

Answer 12

Radial nerve injury

Question 13

Give an example of an upper plexus injury

Answer 13

Erb’s Palsy

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Question 14

Give examples of lower plexus injuries

Answer 14

Klumpke’s Palsy
Crutch paralysis
Saturday night palsy

Question 15

What is the nerve of elbow flexion

Answer 15

Musculocutaneous nerve

Question 16

Which nerve supplies the deltoid

Answer 16

Axillary nerve (C5-6)

Question 17

Define and describe neuropraxia

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Define and describe axonotmesis

Answer 18

More severe nerve injury with disruption of the axon but with maintenance of Schwann sheath.
Motor, sensory and autonomic paralysis occurs

Question 19

Define and describe neurotmesis

Answer 19

Nerve and it’s sheath are disrupted.

Even though recovery may occur, it is never complete

Question 20

Which nerve supplies the brachioradialis muscle

Answer 20

Radial nerve (C5,6,7)

Question 21

Which nerve supplies carpal extensors

Answer 21

Radial nerve (C6,7)

Question 22

Which nerve supplies digital extensors

Answer 22

Radial nerve (C7,8)

Question 23

Which nerve supplies flexors of the wrist

Answer 23

Median nerve (C6,7,8)

Question 24

Which nerve contributes to wrist flexion

Answer 24

Ulnar nerve (C8, T1)

Question 25

What causes Thoracic outlet syndrome

Answer 25

Compression of certain nerves and blood vessels

Question 26

Which nerves are mostly affected by crutch paralysis

Answer 26

Radial and ulnar nerve

Question 27

How does crutch paralysis usually present

Answer 27

Pain and wrist drop

Question 28

Which nerve is affected by Saturday night palsy

Answer 28

Radial nerve