Brachial Plexus Traction Test

Summary

This video demonstrates the brachial plexus traction test, a procedure used to assess brachial plexus injuries. The patient is seated while the examiner performs a passive maneuver, involving forced lateral flexion of the head and shoulder depression. The goal is to stretch the brachial plexus and recreate the injury mechanism. A positive result occurs if the patient experiences symptoms, like shooting pain in the arm, similar to those from the original injury. This test helps diagnose brachial plexus traction injuries by triggering the same symptoms.

Takeaways

• 😀 The brachial plexus traction test is used to diagnose a brachial plexus injury.
• 😀 The test involves the patient being seated while the examiner is positioned behind them.
• 😀 The procedure combines forced lateral flexion of the neck and shoulder depression.
• 😀 The test is passive, meaning the patient should relax while the examiner performs the movements.
• 😀 The examiner applies force to push the patient’s head to the side and depress the shoulder.
• 😀 The purpose of the test is to stretch the brachial plexus to simulate the injury mechanism.
• 😀 A positive result occurs if the symptoms from the injury are reproduced during the test.
• 😀 Symptoms of a brachial plexus injury may include shooting pain or sensations radiating into the arm.
• 😀 The test assesses the possibility of a brachial plexus traction injury specifically.
• 😀 Lateral flexion and shoulder depression are the key movements during the test to provoke symptoms.
• 😀 The brachial plexus traction test can help differentiate brachial plexus injuries from other types of arm or neck injuries.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the brachial plexus traction test?

The purpose of the brachial plexus traction test is to assess for a potential brachial plexus injury by applying a combination of forced lateral flexion and shoulder depression to stretch the brachial plexus and replicate the injury mechanism.

How is the test performed?

The test is performed by having the patient seated while the examiner stands behind them. The examiner then applies passive lateral flexion to the head and depresses the patient's shoulder.

What is the role of the patient during the test?

The patient is instructed to relax during the test as the examiner applies the lateral flexion and shoulder depression to passively stretch the brachial plexus.

What does the examiner try to achieve during the test?

The examiner attempts to stretch the brachial plexus to recreate the symptoms that were originally caused by the injury.

What indicates a positive result for the brachial plexus traction test?

A positive result is indicated by the reproduction of the patient's symptoms, such as shooting pain into the arm, that they experienced during the injury.

What is the significance of lateral flexion and shoulder depression in this test?

Lateral flexion of the head and shoulder depression are used to stretch the brachial plexus, which may help replicate the mechanism of injury and trigger the patient's symptoms.

What could a positive test imply?

A positive test could imply that the patient has sustained a brachial plexus traction injury, which occurs when the brachial plexus is overstretched or compressed.

Why is the test performed passively?

The test is performed passively to ensure that the patient's muscles are relaxed and not actively resisting the movements, allowing for an accurate assessment of the brachial plexus under tension.

What are the potential symptoms that might be recreated by this test?

The symptoms that might be recreated include pain, numbness, or tingling sensations shooting down the arm, similar to what the patient experienced during the injury.

What should the examiner do if the test is positive?

If the test is positive, the examiner may suspect a brachial plexus injury and may refer the patient for further evaluation or diagnostic imaging to confirm the extent of the injury.