Lower Limb Conditions Flashcards
Meralgia Paresthetica
Tingling, Numbness and burning pain of outer leg, Occurs when the lateral cutaneous nerve is compromised or pinched. Anterior lateral thigh
- Caused by compression and entrapment of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, Tight clothing, Obesity, Pregnancy
- 3 times more common in men than women
- MC age being 20-60 y/o
- Symptoms include burning pain, tingling and numbness at anterior lateral thigh
Meralgia Parasthetica can be caused externally by direct trauma or overstretching injury involving the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous nerve L2-3. Name 2 possible internal causes for this condition: ___Compression by nearby structures_____ and__Nerve entrapment within the pelvis
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Rare but serious autoimmune disroder in which the body immune ssytem attacks the peripheral nerves. particularly the myelin sheath surrounding nerves and sometimes the nerves themselves
The destruction of the myelin sheath and nerve fibers disrupts nerve conduction and impairs the transmission of signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body, leading to muscle weakness and sensory abnormalities
Can lead to weakness and numbness and in severe cases paralysis
Causes: Bacteria found in uncooked poultry, Influenza virus, Eppstein-barr virus,
S&S: Weakness and tingling (starts in legs and spreads to arms) Progressive muscle weakness, Numbness and loss of sensation, Loss of reflexes, difficulty walking moving arms and facial expressions.
Piriformis syndrome
- Caused by piriformis muscle compressing sciatic nerve
- 6 to 1 Female to Male ratio
- Symptoms include pain and numbness and tingling along back of the leg and into the foot
- Often seen in runners and Is caused by muscle spasms in the piriformis or tightening of the muscles in response to injury or spasms.
Tarsal Tunnel syndrome
- Compression of posterior tibial nerve as it travels through the tarsal tunnel
- More common in women than men
- It can be caused by Arthritic changes, oedema or poor shoes that don’t fit
- Symptoms include ankle pain, and paraesthesia at the heels and sole of the feet when walking
Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is a condition characterized by compression of the tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel, a narrow space located on the inside of the ankle beneath the medial malleolus (ankle bone). The tarsal tunnel is formed by the flexor retinaculum, a band of connective tissue that spans the ankle joint, and houses several structures, including the tibial nerve, posterior tibial artery, and tendons of the flexor muscles of the foot.
Four possible risk factors for developing tarsal tunnel syndrome include
- Anatomic variations
- Overuse or repetitive strain
- Trauma or injury
- Systemic conditions: Certain systemic conditions, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or hypothyroidism, can predispose individuals to nerve compression syndromes, including tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Typical signs and symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome include
1. Pain and numbness
2. Worsening with activity
3. Night pain
4. Weakness or muscle atrophy
5. Tinel’s sign Tapping over the tarsal tunnel may elicit a tingling sensation or electrical shock-like pain radiating into the foot, known as a positive Tinel’s sign, indicating nerve irritation or compression
6. Sensory changes
Examination findings one could reasonably expect in tarsal tunnel syndrome include:
1.Tenderness: Palpation along the course of the tibial nerve, particularly at the tarsal tunnel, may elicit tenderness or discomfort.
2.Sensory testing: Evaluation of sensory function, including light touch, pinprick, and temperature sensation, can help assess for alterations in nerve function or sensation.
3.Muscle strength testing: Assessment of muscle strength, particularly in the intrinsic foot muscles, can reveal weakness or atrophy associated with chronic nerve compression.
4.Tinel’s sign: Performing Tinel’s sign test by tapping over the tarsal tunnel can provoke symptoms and aid in confirming the diagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Parkinsons
- Parkinson’s disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in part of the brain called the substantia nigra. This leads to a reduction in a chemical called dopamine in the brain.
- Dopamine has a key roll in regulating movement.
- Young adults rarely experience Parkinson’s
- Usually begins later on in life (Around 60 and older)
- Parkinson’s is more common in men then women
- On going exposure to toxins like herbicides may slightly increase you risk of developing this disease
