Compression Neuropathy Flashcards
What are biomechanical causes of neuropathy?
- -space-occupying lesions (cysts, herniated discs)
- -degenerative changes (foraminal stenosis)
- -post-trauma (compartment syndrome, fracture/cast)
- -mechanical (muscle spasm, pinching d/t positioning)
What are systemic causes of neuropathy?
- pregnancy
- hypothyroidism
- diabetes
What is the outer covering of a nerve?
-epineurium: contains the fascicles, blood vessels and connective tissue within
What is a fascicle?
- covered by perineurium, contains groups of axons
- groups of fascicles together form a nerve, which is covered by epineurium
What layers cover an axon?
- directly covered with myelin, which is then covered by the endoneurium
- groups of axons together form a fascicle, which is covered by perineurium
What are the five degrees of nerve injury?
1st: neuropraxia (focal damage of myelin)
2nd: axonotmesis (some injury to axon itself)
3rd: neurotmesis (axon and endoneurium)
4th: neurotmesis (axon, endoneurium, and perineurium)
5th: neurotmesis (axon, endo-, peri-, and epineurium)
What motor, sensation, and reflex is associated with C5?
motor: deltoid and biceps
sensation: lateral arm
reflex: biceps
What motor, sensation, and reflex are associated with C6?
motor: wrist extension, elbow flexion
sensation: radial forearm, thumb and index finger
reflex: brachioradialis
What motor, sensation, and reflex are associated with C7?
motor: wrist flexion, elbow extension, finger extension
sensation: middle finger
reflex: triceps
What motor and sensation are associated with C8?
motor: finger flexion
sensation: ulnar forearm, little finger
What motor and sensation are associated with T1?
motor: finger abduction
sensation: medial arm
What is the usual cause of cervical nerve root compression?
- cervical disc disease
- -bulging disc (no significant damage to cartilage rings)
- -herniation (some tearing of cartilage rings)
What is protrusion in regards to a disc herniation?
- only a few cartilage rings are torn
- no leakage of central material
What is extrusion in regards to a disc herniation?
- cartilage rings have been torn in a small area
- nucleus pulposus is able to flow out of the disc space
In what direction does the disc usually rupture?
posterolateral, because the longitudinal ligament is located centrally
(longitudinal ligament becomes the tectorial membrane)
What is radiculopathy?
-pain caused by compression of the spinal nerve that radiates in the distribution of the defined nerve root
List some tests for cervical nerve roots?
-Spurling, Adson, and Hoffman
What is a Spurling Test?
-extend and rotate neck toward symptomatic side
+ if radicular pain is exacerbated
= cervical radiculopathy (e.g. herniated disc)
What is the Adson Test?
-elevate chin and rotate head toward affected side while inhaling deeply
+ if radial pulse on affected side is obliterated
= thoracic outlet syndrome
What is the Hoffman Test?
-firmly grasp middle finger and quickly snap or flip the dorsal surface of distal phalanx ventrally
+ if thumb and index finger quickly flex
= cervical myelopathy (e.g. cervical spine stenosis)
How does the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome differ from the general treatment of other cervical nerve root compression?
-cubital tunnel syndrome warrants operative decompression in most all cases (except super mild) in order to prevent nerve damage
–normally 3-6mos of PT, OMM, pain mgmt, splints, etc.
What motor function does the radial nerve supply?
- triceps brachii
- anconeus
- wrist extensors
What area of sensation does the radial nerve supply?
-majority of the dorsum of the hand (via posterior interosseous N.)
What are the three sites for radial nerve entrapment?
- high on the humerus
- radial tunnel
- at the wrist
What are the characteristics of a radial nerve entrapment that happens high on the humerus?
- usually secondary to a humerus fracture
- Tx: fxn usually returns within 4-5mos
Symptoms: wrist drop, pain, numbness, weak elbow flexion (brachioradialis), triceps reflex diminished
What are the characteristics of a radial nerve entrapment at the radial tunnel?
- due to repetitive rotatory mvmts (rowing, discus, racquet sports), or heavy manual labor
- pain/tenderness 5cm distal to lateral epicondyle, wrist drop or pain w/ resisted supination
What are the characteristics of a radial nerve entrapment at the wrist (aka Cheiralgia Paresthetica, aka Wartenberg’s Syndrome, aka Handcuff Neuropathy)?
- a superficial sensory branch is pinched b/w brachioradialis and extensor carpi radialis ligament during forearm pronation
- sensation changes over the posterolateral hand
What three syndromes are caused my median nerve entrapment?
- Pronator Syndrome
- Anterior Osseous Syndrome
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What are the motor functions of the median nerve?
- forearm flexion and pronation
- wrist flexion and radial deviation
- thumb abduction and opposition
- index and middle finger abduction and flexion
What are the causes of pronator syndrome?
- occurs as median n. passes b/w superficial and deep heads of the pronator teres m.
- repetitive pronating motion: pianists, fiddlers, baseball players, dentists, weight trainers
What are the symptoms of pronator syndrome?
- achy pain in the mid/proximal forearm, aggravated by repeated lifting
- may have sensory abnormality in the radial three and a half digits
How is pronator syndrome diagnosed?
-pain w/ resisted forearm pronation
What is the cause of Anterior Interosseous Syndrome?
- entrapment of the anterior interosseous n. (a deep motor branch of the median nerve) just distal to the pronator teres m.; it innervates flexors
- trauma, casts, soft tissue masses, fibrous bands
Are there sensory symptoms associated with Anterior Interosseous Syndrome?
No
How do you test for Anterior Interosseous Syndrome?
-have pt. make the “ok” sign
+ if the pt. is unable to hold and resist pinching pressure of the tip of the thumb against the tip of the index finger, due to weak flexion ability
What is the treatment for Anterior Interosseous Syndrome?
- elbow can be splinted in 90 degrees of flexion for up to 12 weeks
- other general treatments