Elbow/Forearm Radiating Pain

Question 1

A patient with Elbow/Forearm pain with Radiating pain, what might you hear in the subjective examination?

Answer 1

Numbness, tingling, weakness in affected nerve distribution, radiating pain

Question 2

What is the MOI with Elbow/Forearm Pain with Radiating Pain?

Answer 2

Insidious onset, trauma, repetitive overuse, long periods of sustained pressure on nerve

Question 3

During the Physcial Examination, what may you find with Elbow/Forearm Pain with Radiating Pain?

Neuro assessment, A/PROM, Movement Analysis, Muscle performance, Neurodynamic assessment

Answer 3

• Neurological Assessment: Decreased sensation to affected nerve distribution
• Elbow AROM/PROM: May be limited and symptomatic at end-range
• Movement Analysis: Ask the pt. what they do to figure out what to do for analysis
• Muscle Performance: weakness in muscles impacted by nerve
• Neurodynamic Assessment: (+) on the affected nerve

Tinels will also be done; Palpate muscles that are affected by the nerve and the areas where it runs through.

Question 4

With Elbow/Forearm Radiating pain, what are Associated Impairments/Differential Diagnosis that would have be ruled in/out?

Answer 4

• Cervical Spine/Radicular referral
• TOS
• Scapulothoracic mobility
• Upper quarter muscle length/strength

Question 5

What Interventions should be done with Elbow/Forearm pain with Radiating Pain?

Answer 5

• Spinting Pad
• Activity Mod.: Remove the causitive factor
• Education: Rest, Ice, NSAIDS, decrease excessive positions that cuase compression
• Soft Tissue Techniques
• Manual Therapy: Nerve Glides, Jt. mobs, stretching/strengthening of muscles