How can you tell the difference between pronator teres syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome?
Both are exacerbated by wrist flexion, but pronator syndrome symptoms are often increased with resisted or repetitive forearm pronation or supination. Most significantly, isolated carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms do not affect the palm, whereas pronator teres syndrome usually will.
Which nerve is affected in pronator syndrome?
Pronator Teres Syndrome (PTS) is a compression neuropathy of the median nerve at the elbow. It is not as common as compression at the wrist which is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).
How is pronator syndrome diagnosed?
Pronator syndrome is typically diagnosed through a thorough physical examination. It is typified by tenderness over the elbow, and the median nerve, and on pronation the pain will increase and confirm the diagnosis.
What causes pronator syndrome?
The condition is caused by compression of the median nerve, usually by swollen and inflamed structures around the elbow. Certain underlying conditions such as hypothyroidism and diabetes are considered risk factors of pronator syndrome.
At which area is the median nerve most commonly entrapped in pronator syndrome?
CTS is the most common of the median nerve entrapments. The carpal tunnel is a narrow fibro-osseous tunnel through which the median nerve passes, along with nine tendons. An increase in the volume of the tunnel contents or a decrease in the size of the tunnel can compress the median nerve.
What causes forearm pronation?
Pronator syndrome occurs from entrapment of the median nerve by the pronator teres muscle. It is associated with prolonged or repetitive forearm movements, i.e., gripping with the palm down. Carpenters, mechanics, assembly line workers, tennis players, rowers, and weight lifters are predisposed to this problem.
What Innervates the pronator quadratus?
The PQ is innervated by the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN), a branch of the median nerve also supplying motor innervation to the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor pollicis longus (FPL) muscles.
Where can the median nerve get entrapped?
The median nerve can be entrapped at four locations around the elbow: distal hu- merus by the ligament of Struthers; proximal elbow by a thickened biceps aponeurosis; el- bow joint between the superficial and deep heads of the pronator teres muscle, which is the most common cause of median nerve compression; and …
What does median nerve pain feel like?
Pain in the wrist or hand that may be severe and wake you up at night, and that may be felt in other areas, such as the upper arm (this is called referred pain) Sensation changes in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring fingers, such as a burning feeling, decreased sensation, numbness and tingling.