Starter Program Content >> Body Regions >> Upper Extremity >> Nerve Entrapments
Nerve Entrapments
This section shows you MAR® and IAR® for the most common upper extremity nerve entrapments. These are involved in at least 50% of cases in this region and are among the most underdiagnosed and under treated conditions in the human body.
Upper extremity nerve entrapment locations:
- Nerve Roots with Scalenes
- Neurovascular Bundle with Subscapularis
- Median Nerve
- with Pronator Teres
- with Flexor Digitorum Superficialis
- with Carpal Ligament
- Ulnar Nerve
- with Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
- with Hypothenar
- Radial Nerve with Posterior Forearm
Nerve entrapment is suspected when the first order history is consistent with nerve adhesion and confirmed with positive exam findings. Particularly palpation of adhesion with diagnostic passes using the following protocols.
Cervical nerve roots can become adhered to the middle and anterior scalenes. This can contribute to any upper extremity nerve symptom and alter cervical biomechanics and load.
The neurovascular bundle can become adhered to the subscapularis. This can contribute to many upper extremity nerve symptoms and alter shoulder biomechanics and load.
Median Nerve
Median Nerve entrapments can cause symptoms:
- Aching and/or burning anywhere along it’s course (including cutaneous nerve branches)
- Pain/Tenderness/Hypertonicity to any of the structures it supplies (medial elbow/flexor group)
- Numbness/tingling/decreased sensation to the palm of the hand and first 3 1/2 digits.
Starting proximal and working distal the most important median nerve and related entrapments are:
Ulnar Nerve
Ulnar Nerve entrapments can cause symptoms:
- Aching and/or burning anywhere along it’s course (including cutaneous nerve branches)
- Pain/Tenderness/Hypertonicity to any of the structures it supplies (medial elbow/flexor group)
- Numbness/tingling/decreased sensation to the hypothenar palm and medial 1 1/2 digits.
Starting proximal and working distal the most important median nerve and related entrapments are:
Radial Nerve
Radial Nerve entrapments can cause symptoms:
- Aching and/or burning anywhere along it’s course (including cutaneous nerve branches)
- Pain/Tenderness/Hypertonicity to any of the structures it supplies (extensor group)
- Numbness/tingling/decreased sensation to the dorsum of the hand and dorsum of the lateral 3 1/2 fingers.
Starting proximal and working distal the most important median nerve and related entrapments are:
There you have it. You can effectively treat the 8 most important and common nerve entrapment sights in the upper extremity.
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