Neurological Conditions Flashcards
What spinal nerves if impinged may produce hand symptoms?
C6, C7, C8
What peripheral nerve goes with the C6 spinal nerve?
Musculoskeletal Nerve
What peripheral nerve goes with the C7 spinal nerve?
Radial Nerve
What peripheral nerve goes with the C8 spinal nerve?
Ulnar Nerve
What functional questionnaires go with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
- Katz hand diagram (higher specificity than sensitivity; LR+ = 2.1 - 38, LR- = .1 - .5)
- Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire Symptom Severity Scale > 19 and Functional Scale
- Hems Questionnaire (> 6 pts; LR- = .13)
- Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire
What percentage of patients present with both a clinical and electrophysiological confirmation of carpal tunnel syndrome?
2.7%
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most common what?
Entrapment Mononeuropathy
What is the gold standard for diagnostic testing of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Nerve Conduction Study
- Sensitivity - 85%
- Specificity - >95%
What are the strongest link risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Obesity
- > 45 years of age
- Biological Female (somewhat related to pregnancy and fluid build up)
- Forceful hand activity with work
What are the lesser link risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Circulatory conditions (ex: cardiopulmonary such as CHF or HTN, Diabetes)
- Age related joint changes
- Hypothyroidism
- Family history of CTS
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Wide hand
- Short stature
- Work involving repetitive work and vibration
What is the etiology of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Decreased axonal transport by:
- Local inflammation at the wrist
- Systemic inflammation
- Benign ganglion cyst
What can local inflammation at the wrist be due to?
- Repetitive/ Forceful use
- Age related joint changes
- Trauma: Lunate subluxation/ dislocation
What can systemic inflammation at the wrist be due to?
- Auto-immune conditions
- Circulatory conditions
- Pregnancy
What structures are involved in the carpal tunnel?
- 10 tendons: FCR, FPL, FDS, FDP
- Nerve under the transverse carpal ligament
- Palmar branch of the median nerve
- Superficial branch of the median nerve
Does the palmar branch of the median nerve travel over or under the carpal tunnel?
Over
What does the palmar branch of the median nerve provide sensory input to?
Proximal palm, particularly the thenar surface
The superficial branch of the median nerve travels where?
Through the carpal tunnel
What does the superficial branch of the median nerve provide sensory input to?
- Volar surface of the first 3.5 digits and their dorsal tips
- NOT the palm
What does the superficial branch of the median nerve provide motor input to?
- 1st and 2nd Lumbricals
- Opponens Pollicis
- Abductor Pollicis Brevis
- Flexor Pollicis Brevis