Upper Extremity Orthopedic Exam

OVERVIEW

 

SENSORY EXAM

Generally speaking the sensory distribution the following nerves are important to asses.

Radial nerve:

Light touch on the dorsal aspect of the thumb.

Median nerve: 

Light touch along the middle/index finger

Ulnar nerve: 

Light touch along the little finger

MOTOR EXAM

Generally speaking the motor function of the following nerves are important to asses.

Radial nerve (testing the Extensor pollicis longus):

Thumb up sign

Median nerve (testing the  :

Flexion of thumb IP and index DIP (“A-OK sign”)

Ulnar nerve (testing the :

Cross-fingers or abduct fingers against resistance

 

Page Updated: 09.21.2018