Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Phys: Bone & Gen Med: Ortho > Median and Ulnar Nerve Entrapment > Flashcards

Median and Ulnar Nerve Entrapment Flashcards

1
Q

Define carpal tunnel syndrome

A
  1. Most common peripheral neuropathy

2. Compression of median nerve under transverse carpal ligament

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what are the rf for carpal tunnel syndrome?

A
  1. Female
  2. Pregnancy
  3. DM
  4. RA
  5. Hypothyroidism
  6. Premenstrual fluid retention
  7. Most commonly precipitated by:
    Repetitive flexion/extension wrist
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the sxs for carpal tunnel?

A
  1. Night pain
  2. Numbness
  3. Paresthesias
    A. “pins and needles”
  4. Clumsiness
  5. Dropping objects/weakness
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the Physical exams and results for carpal tunnel?

A
  1. Tinel’s sign
  2. Phalen’s test
  3. Thenar eminence atrophy
    A. Late sign
  4. Sensation
    A. Median and ulnar nerve distribution
  5. Strength
    A. Grip
    B. Finger abd/adduction
  6. Examine elbow also
    A. ROM
    B. Tinel’s @ elbow
    C. ck for co-existing ulnar nerve entrapment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the dx studies for carpal tunnel syndrome?

A 
1. Labs
A. Glucose
B. TSH
C. RF
D. ESR?
2. usually a clinical dx
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the confirmatory test for carpal tunnel?

A
  1. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) & electromyography (EMG) studies
    Confirms dx
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the tx for carpal tunnel syndrome?

A
  1. Initial treatment
    A. Modify activity
    B. Volar wrist splint (cock-up wrist splint) @ night
    C. NSAIDs- short term
  2. Persistent sxs
    A. Refer to Orthopedics- Steroid injection
    B. Surgical decompression of nerve- carpal tunnel release (endoscopic or open)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define ulnar nerve entrapment

A
  1. Aka Cubital tunnel syndrome – ulnar neuropathy @ medial elbow
    A. Not as common as CTS
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the sxs of ulnar nerve entrapment?

A
  1. Paresthesias 4th and 5th digits
  2. Medial elbow pain, worsens w/ repetitive elbow or wrist flexion
  3. Nocturnal numbness/tingling
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How is ulnar nerve entrapment diagnosed?

A
  1. Dx usually clear from H&P

2. Confirm dx with NCS/EMG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How is ulnar nerve entrapment treated?

A
  1. Conservative management
    A. Avoidance of aggravating activities
    B. Nerve gliding exercises (PT)
    C. Night Splinting and/or pad medial elbow
    D. Refer to Ortho for consultation- ulnar nerve decompression
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Where else can the ulnar nerve become entrapped?

A

Can also have entrapment of ulnar
nerve in Guyon canal called Guyon’s
Canal syndrome or Handlebar palsy
At the wrist

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is thoracic outlet syndrome?

A

NV sxs in UE d/t pressure on nerves and vessels in thoracic outlet area
Brachial plexus, subclavian artery or vein

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Who gets thoracic outlet syndrome?

A
  1. Rare

2. Women btw 20-50 yo most commonly affected

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the etiology of thoracic outlet syndrome?

A
  1. Etiology
    A. Congenital anomaly- Cervical rib (accessory rib from C7 vertebral body)
  2. Congenital and acquired variants are common
    A. Cervical rib articulates with 1st thoracic rib, supernumary scalene muscles, variations in scalene muscle attachments
  3. Pts w/ a cervical rib:
    A. Predisposed to develop TOS after whiplash injury
    -Poor posture and rounded shoulders
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the sxs of TOS?

A
  1. Pain, dysesthesias, numbness, weakness of upper extremity that can affect neck, head, shoulders, arm, chest and hand (HA, weakness, loss of coordination)
  2. Can mimic ulnar nerve entrapment or cervical radiculopathy
17
Q

What can TOS be aggravated by?

A 
1. Sxs reproducibly aggravated by activity that requires elevation or sustained use of arms or hands
A. Reaching overhead
B. Prolonged typing
C. Driving
D. Talking on phone
E. Brushing hair
18
Q

What PE tests are used for TOS?

A
  1. Provocative maneuvers*
    A. EAST- elevated arm stress test: Nl up to 3 mins, TOS report pain and fatigue w/in 30 sec
    B.. “At-attention” test
    C. Adson test: dec in radial or ulnar pulse w/ abduction of the upper extremity overhead. Lean head back and turn toward tested arm

*above tests must reproduce pt’s sxs as well

19
Q

What diagnostic tests are used for TOS? What are the results?

A
  1. CXR- may see cervical rib
  2. EMG- assesses all UE nerves/muscle function
  3. Brachial plexus (interscalene) block
20
Q

What treatment is used for TOS?

A
  1. Only for symptomatic pts
  2. Physical Therapy
    A. Active release techniques of scalene muscles
    B. Strengthening/stretching exercises
    C. Chin/neck retraction, shoulder rolls, corner stretch, neck stretches
    D. Posture exercises
  3. Thoracic outlet decompressive surgery when nonoperative tx have failed (cervical rib present)

Phys: Bone & Gen Med: Ortho (14 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions