Neurological System (Lower Limb) Flashcards
When examining the power of the lower limb, what movement is assessed?
Hip flexion and extension
Knee flexion and extension Ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion
What are the two reflexes examined in the lower limb?
Patellar
Achilles
Which nerve roots are assessed in the patellar reflex?
L2-L4
Which nerve roots are assessed in the achilles reflex?
S1-S2
What are the three examinations performed to assess tone in the lower limb?
1) Leg roll
2) Leg lift
3) Ankle clonus
How is leg lift performed?
Quickly lift the leg off the bed at the knee joint, heel should remain in contact with the bed.
How is ankle clonus performed?
Quickly dorsiflex and partially evert the foot, clonus is felt but more than 5 is abnormal
Which muscles are concerned with hip flexion?
Psoas major Iliacus Sartorius Rectus femoris pectineus
Which nerve is associated with hip flexion?
Femoral nerve
Which nerve is associated with hip extension?
Inferior gluteal nerve
Which muscle is concerned with hip extension?
Gluteus maximus
Which muscles are associated with hip abduction?
Gluteus medius
Gluteus minimus
Which nerve is associated with hip abduction?
Superior gluteal nerve
Which nerve is associated with hip adduction?
Obturator nerve
Which muscles are associated with hip adduction?
Adductor longus
Adductor brevis
Adductor Magnus
Which muscle is associated with internal rotation of the hip?
Obturator externus (all adductors, semitendinosus, semimembranosus)
Which muscles are associated with external rotation of the hip?
Piriformis, obturator internus, gemellus superior and inferior, quadratus femoris
Which muscles are associated with knee flexion?
Biceps femoris, semtindonosus, semimembranosus and gracillis
Which muscle is associated with extension of the knee joint?
Quadriceps femoris
How is the Trendelenburg test performed?
- With consent, position your hands on the patient’s iliac crests.
- Ask the patient to lift each foot in turn off the floor
- When the right foot is raised, the left hip abductors are being tested
- When the left foot is raised, the right hip abductors are being tested.
- The abductors should be strong enough to support the pelvis and keep it level on a one-legged stance. They may even contract sufficiently that you feel slight upwards tilt in the pelvis.
- If there is weakness in the abductors, they will be unable to stabilise the hip on the weight bearing femur, so the pelvis will sag towards the unsupported side.
When the left leg is raised which muscle group is being assessed in the Trendelenburg test?
Right hip abductors
If there is a weakness in the left hip abductors, how will this be shown?
Unable to stabilise the hip on the weight bearing femur, thus the pelvis will sag towards the unsupported side, the right
How is knee extension assessed?
Quadriceps
Bend the knee and ask the patient to straighten the knee whilst applying resistance
When assessing the power of knee extension, which muscle group is being examined?
Quadriceps
When assessing the power of knee flexion, which muscle group is being examined?
Hamstrings
How is knee flexion assessed?
Instruct the patient to begin flexing the knee towards them against resistance
Which nerve is associated with knee flexion?
Sciatic nerve
How is dorsiflexion assessed?
Resist by pushing foot downwards
Which muscles are concerned with dorsiflexon?
Tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus
Extensor digitorum longus
Which nerve is concerned with the anterior compartment of the leg, and dorsiflexion?
Deep fibular nerve
How is plantarflexion assessed?
Resist by pushing the foot upwards and inform the patient to point their foot downwards to oppose this motion
Which nerve is involved with platarflexion?
Tibial nerve (s1-s2)
How is inversion assessed?
Place hand laterally and instruct the patient to push against applied resistance