Nerve Exam Skills Checkoff Flashcards
explain pressure provocation test at elbow
- positioning
- protocol
- what a positive indicates
patient in slight elbow flexion with supination
therapist applies pressure on ulnar nerve for 60 seconds proximal to cubital tunnel
positive is reproduction of symptoms in ulnar nerve distribution
explain elbow flexion test
- positioning
- protocol
- what a positive indicates
patient seated and elbow in maximal flexion/supination passively
therapist compresses proximal to cubital tunnel for up to 60 seconds
positive = reproduction of symptoms along ulnar distribution
explain phalens test
- positioning
- protocol
- what a positive indicates? any considerations?
patient seated with wrist fully in flexion with wrists touching
held for 60 seconds
positive = reproduction of pain / numbness over median nerve distribution
— can be done with elbows extended to take out possibility of cubital tunnel involvement
explain OK sign test
- positioning
- protocol
- what a positive indicates
patient is asked to touch the tip of index finger to thumb
- making OK sign
inability to do it and pads of fingers touching
explain froment’s sign
- positioning
- protocol
- what a positive indicates
have patient flex fingers and make a fist with thumb in adduction
- place piece of paper under thumb and tell patient to maintain grip with thumb
positive = inability to do it
adductor policis is affected due to ulnar nerve damage = will use tip of thumb rather than flat thumb
explain UE Tension of Ulnar
- positioning
- protocol
- what a positive indicates
patient in supine with arm extended off of the mat and therapist between arm and mat
abduction into 45
scapula blocked
external rotation at shoulder
pronation at elbow
extension at wrist and 4/5th digit
flexes patient shoulder
- sensitize by laterally flexing the neck
positive = reproduction of symptoms in ulnar nerve distribution that gets better / worse with sensitization
explain Radial Nerve Tension Test
- positioning
- protocol
- what a positive indicates
patient supine laying diagonally with arm off table
therapist at shoulder, not between arm and table
depression of scapula
full extension and IR at shoulder
place thumb inside of fist
wrist into flexion/ulnar deviation
move into abduction until symptoms/resistance is found
- sensitize with lateral flexion towards/away
explain median sliders vs tensioners
for both: patient seated with shoulder abducted to 90 degrees, elbow flexed and wrist in “waiter’s position”
sliders = lateral flexion towards affected side as elbow is extended
tensioners = lateral flexion away from affected side as elbow is extended
explain ulnar sliders vs tensioners
for both:
patient seated, shoulder in 90 degrees of abduction, elbow flexed and wrist extended
slider = lateral flexion toward affected side as elbow is extended
tensioner = lateral flexion away from affected side as elbow is extended
ASK ABOUT RADIAL AND SHIT
— do it
