ART Nerve Entrapment & Neurological Assessment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which nerve is most commonly entrapped at the carpal tunnel in ART clinical presentations?
- Ulnar nerve
- Radial nerve
- Median nerve (Correct answer)
- Musculocutaneous nerve
Correct answer: Median nerve
The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel and is the most frequently entrapped nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome.
Question 2: In ART, the term 'double crush syndrome' refers to:
- Two separate acute injuries to the same nerve
- Compression of a nerve at two or more sites along its course (Correct answer)
- Bilateral entrapment of the same nerve
- Simultaneous entrapment of two different nerves
Correct answer: Compression of a nerve at two or more sites along its course
Double crush syndrome describes compression of a single nerve at two or more locations along its path, where proximal compression sensitizes the nerve to distal insult.
Question 3: Which orthopedic test is used to evaluate thoracic outlet syndrome by assessing vascular compression of the subclavian artery?
- Phalen's test
- Adson's test (Correct answer)
- Tinel's sign
- Spurling's test
Correct answer: Adson's test
Adson's test assesses for compression of the subclavian artery and brachial plexus by having the patient rotate and extend the neck while the examiner monitors the radial pulse.
Question 4: In ART neurological assessment, decreased sensation along the lateral forearm most likely implicates which nerve root level?
- C5
- C6 (Correct answer)
- C7
- C8
Correct answer: C6
The C6 dermatome covers the lateral forearm, thumb, and index finger; decreased sensation in this region suggests C6 nerve root involvement.
Question 5: The piriformis muscle can entrap which nerve, producing symptoms that mimic lumbar disc herniation?
- Femoral nerve
- Obturator nerve
- Sciatic nerve (Correct answer)
- Pudendal nerve
Correct answer: Sciatic nerve
The sciatic nerve can be compressed by a hypertonic or fibrotic piriformis muscle, causing piriformis syndrome with radiating pain down the leg similar to disc herniation.
Question 6: When performing ART for nerve entrapment, the provider applies tension to the soft tissue while the patient moves through a range of motion. This technique primarily aims to:
- Strengthen the surrounding musculature
- Restore normal tissue texture and relative tissue motion (Correct answer)
- Increase joint capsule elasticity
- Reduce intra-articular pressure
Correct answer: Restore normal tissue texture and relative tissue motion
ART treatment restores normal tissue texture and the relative motion between soft tissues and nerves by breaking down adhesions formed from cumulative trauma.
Question 7: Which provocative test for ulnar nerve entrapment at the cubital tunnel involves flexing the elbow fully for 60 seconds to reproduce symptoms?
- Tinel's elbow test
- Cubital tunnel compression test
- Elbow flexion test (Correct answer)
- Froment's test
Correct answer: Elbow flexion test
The elbow flexion test maximally elongates and compresses the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel; reproduction of paresthesias in the ring and little finger within 60 seconds is a positive finding.
ART Nerve Entrapment & Neurological Assessment 1
Which nerve is most commonly entrapped at the carpal tunnel in ART clinical presentations?