T2 L11 Upper limb nerve injuries Flashcards
What are the 3 steps when approaching a neurological problem?
Anatomically localise lesion
Consider pathophysiology
Differential diagnosis
What are the signs of an UMN?
Held in flexed posture if chronic Increased tone Pyramidal weakness (flexor muscles stronger than extensors) Brisk reflexes Sensory level
What are the signs of a LMN?
Wasting / fasciculations
Flaccid tone
Weakness in either a myotomal distribution or peripheral nerve distribution
Dermatomal or peripheral nerve distribution of sensory loss
What is a dermatome?
Area of skin suppled by nerve fibres originating from single dorsal nerve root
What myotome and muscle action does C5 root have?
Deltoid
Shoulder abduction
What myotome and muscle action does C6 root have?
Biceps, brachialis, brachioradialis
Elbow flexion
What myotome and muscle action does C7 root have?
Triceps, superficial forearm extensors and flexors
Elbow extension, wrist extension, wrist flexion
What myotome and muscle action does C8 root have?
Forearm extensors
Deep forearm flexors
Finger extension, finger flexion
What myotome and muscle action does T1 root have?
Intrinsic hand muscles
Finger abduction
What is the biceps reflex?
C5 reflex
Supplied by musculocutaneous nerve
What is the supinator jerk?
C6 reflex
Radial nerve
What is the triceps jerk?
C7 reflex
Radial nerve
What is the finger jerk?
C8 reflex
Median and ulnar nerve
What are the signs and symptoms of a nerve root impingement?
Pain - can radiate - can be aggravated by neck movement Sensory loss Weakness Reflex loss
What are the 4 types of nerve injury?
Avulsion
Rupture
Neuroma
Neurapraxia
What is avulsion?
Tearing of nerve from its attachment at the spinal cord
What is rupture?
Tearing of nerves but not from attachment to the spinal cord
What is neuroma?
Tumour or growth of nerve tissue
What is neurapraxia?
Axons remain intact but myelin damage causes interruption of impulse down nerve fibre
Give examples of causes of brachial plexus injuries
Trauma - Erb-duchenne type paralysis - Klumpke paralysis Cancer - lung cancer - pancoasts tumour Inflammatory - brachial neuritis Structural - thoracic outlet syndrome
What is Erb-duchenne type paralysis?
Avulsion of C5 and C6 roots
Upper plexus palsy
What are the causes of Erb-duchenne type paralysis?
Blow to shoulder or during delivery of the head