Peripheral Nerve Pathologies

Question 1

Scapular winging

Answer 1

Long thoracic nerve injury, weakening the serratus anterior muscle, causing the vertebral border of the scapula to rise away from the rib cage.

Intervention: Scapular mobilization. Taking the UE through PROM & manually moving the scapula to match the UE’s movement.

Question 2

Erb’s Palsy

Answer 2

Aka Waiter’s tip.
Typically in infants due to childbirth difficulties, an upper brachial plexus injury is sustained.
Affected arm hangs in:
shoulder extension & medial rotation
elbow extended
forearm pronated
wrist flexed.

Question 3

Saturday night palsy

Answer 3

When the radial nerve becomes compressed around the mid-humerus.

= Wrist Drop, loss of wrist & finger extension, & weakened ability to release objects.

Question 4

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer 4

Compression of the median nerve as it passes within the carpal tunnel.

Question 5

Ape hand

Answer 5

Median nerve injury

Loss of thumb opposition

Question 6

Sciatica

Answer 6

Caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve roots, leading to pain radiating down the back of the leg.

Often caused by a herniated lumbar disc.