Peripheral nerve injuries Flashcards
Acute nerve compression causes ____ within 15 minutes.
Numbness and tingling
Acute nerve compression causes ____ after 30 minutes.
Loss of pain sensibility
Acute nerve compression causes ____ after 45 minutes.
Muscle weakness
Relief of nerve compression is followed by intense ___ lasting up to 5 minutes.
Paresthesia
What are the types of peripheral nerve injuries?
1) Transient ischemia
2) Neuropraxia
3) Axonotmesis
4) Neurotmesis
What is neuropraxia?
Reversible block to nerve conduction in which there is loss of sensation and muscle power, followed by spontaneous recovery after a few days or weeks.
What is axonotmesis?
A more severe form of nerve injury in which there is interruption of the axons in a segment of nerve
When is axonotmesis typically seen?
After closed fractures and dislocations
What happens to the denervated motor endplates and sensory receptors in axonotmesis if they are not re-innervated within 2 years?
They will never recover
What is neurotmesis?
Complete disconnect of a nerve
Where could we see neurotmesis?
Open wounds
Neurotmesis will never recover without ___.
Surgical intervention
Nerve loss in low energy injuries is likely due to:
Neuropraxia
Nerve loss in high energy injuries and open wounds is likely due to:
Axonotmesis or neurotmesis
What is a classic sign of progressive nerve recovery?
Tinel’s sign
What is Tinel’s sign?
Peripheral tingling provoked by percussing the nerve at the site of injury (where regenerating axons are most sensitive).
Which tests may help to establish the level and severity of the injury, plus progress of nerve recovery?
1) Nerve conduction tests
2) Electromyography
The brachial plexus includes which nerve roots?
C5-T1
What causes brachial plexus injuries?
Stab wound or severe traction caused by a fall on the side of the neck or the shoulder
Supraclavicular lesions typically occur in:
Motorcycle accidents
Infraclavicular lesions are usually associated with:
Fractures or dislocations of the
shoulder
Do clavicular fractures cause brachial plexus injuries?
No
___(Postganglionic/Preganglionic) brachial plexus lesions cannot recover and are surgically irreparable, while ___(Postganglionic/Preganglionic) lesions can be repaired and are capable of recovery.
Preganglionic; Postganglionic
Clinical examination of brachial plexus injuries should establish:
1) Level of the lesion
2) Preganglionic or postganglionic
3) Type of damage