Nerve & Tendon MCQs

A 35-year-old man undergoes surgical repair of a distal biceps tendon rupture via a single-incision anterior approach. Postoperatively, he notes numbness over the lateral aspect of his forearm. Which nerve was most likely injured during the procedure?

A 25-year-old male sustains a distal-third spiral fracture of the humeral shaft (Holstein-Lewis fracture). Which nerve is most at risk of entrapment, and what is its anatomic relationship to the intermuscular septum at this level?

A 40-year-old recreational weightlifter feels a sudden pop in his anterior elbow during a deadlift. Clinical examination reveals a reverse Popeye deformity and weakness in resisted supination. If a single anterior incision approach is utilized for repair, which nerve is at greatest risk of iatrogenic injury?

A 35-year-old male bodybuilder reports a sudden, painful "pop" in his right antecubital fossa while performing biceps curls. Physical examination reveals a "Popeye" deformity and weakness in forearm supination. If a single-incision anterior surgical approach is chosen for repair, the patient is at highest risk for injury to which of the following structures?

A 50-year-old man requires an open capsular release for severe post-traumatic elbow stiffness. During a lateral column procedure, the anterior capsule is sharply elevated off the anterior humerus. Which neurovascular structure is at highest risk during this specific step?

A 45-year-old man presents with persistent numbness in the ring and small fingers and intrinsic weakness. EMG confirms severe ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. During an anterior submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve, which structure must be meticulously released to prevent secondary compression of the nerve as it exits the elbow?

A 17-year-old javelin thrower reports medial-sided elbow pain and diminished grip strength while throwing. He has decreased sensation in the little and ring fingers of his throwing hand only while throwing. The sensory deficits resolve at rest. Examination of the elbow reveals no instability and full motion. He has a positive Tinel's sign over the cubital tunnel and a positive elbow flexion test. Radiographs are normal. What is the next most appropriate step in management?

A patient undergoes in situ decompression of the ulnar nerve for cubital tunnel syndrome. During the approach, the roof of the cubital tunnel is incised. What structure primarily forms the roof of this tunnel?

A 42-year-old bodybuilder feels a 'pop' in his anterior elbow followed by weakness in supination. He undergoes a classic two-incision distal biceps tendon repair. Which nerve is at greatest risk of injury during the posterolateral dissection of this approach?

During a single anterior-incision repair of a distal biceps tendon rupture using an endobutton technique, the patient is at highest risk for iatrogenic injury to which of the following nerves?

A 50-year-old female presents with severe ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Intraoperative examination reveals that the ulnar nerve actively subluxates over the medial epicondyle during elbow flexion. What is the most appropriate surgical management?

During an open in-situ ulnar nerve decompression at the cubital tunnel, the skin incision is made just posterior to the medial epicondyle. To avoid painful neuroma formation, the surgeon must carefully identify and protect a sensory nerve branch that crosses the proximal forearm transversely. Which nerve is this?

When repairing a distal biceps tendon rupture via a two-incision technique, the surgeon must avoid placing retractors forcefully against the radial neck. Which structure is most at risk of injury in this region?

During an ulnar nerve transposition at the elbow, the surgeon must carefully identify and mobilize the first motor branch of the ulnar nerve to prevent tethering. Which muscle does this specific branch typically supply?

A competitive cyclist presents with isolated weakness of finger abduction and adduction but normal sensation over the volar hypothenar eminence and small finger. Entrapment of the ulnar nerve is suspected at Guyon's canal. Which zone of Guyon's canal is most likely affected?

An accessory head of the flexor pollicis longus (Ganzer's muscle) is implicated in the compression of a nerve that results in an inability to form a proper "OK" sign. Which of the following muscles is primarily innervated by the affected nerve?

During a submuscular ulnar nerve transposition, the surgeon must completely release the fascial roof of the cubital tunnel. After identifying the nerve, the surgeon notes the structures comprising the floor of the cubital tunnel. Which of the following forms the true floor of this anatomical space?

Electromyography of a 35-year-old woman shows an anomalous neural connection in the forearm that carries motor fibers from the median nerve to the ulnar nerve. This normal variant is most likely to confound the clinical assessment of which of the following compressive neuropathies?

A patient presents with progressive weakness in thumb adduction and finger abduction, but has intact sensation over the volar small finger and normal hypothenar muscle strength. A mass is suspected in Guyon's canal. Which anatomic zone is most likely affected?