Nerve & Tendon MCQs

A 2-year-old girl is brought in for a locked interphalangeal joint of her right thumb. Her mother reports a small nodule at the base of the thumb on the volar surface. Active extension is absent, but passive extension is painful and yields a palpable click. What is the most appropriate initial management?

A 60-year-old male with severe cubital tunnel syndrome presents with noticeable intrinsic muscle wasting in his hand. When asked to firmly pinch a piece of paper between his thumb and index finger, his thumb interphalangeal joint strongly flexes. This compensatory finding (Froment's sign) is driven by which of the following muscles?

During a submuscular anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve, the surgeon must diligently release all potential sites of compression. One such structure is the Arcade of Struthers. Which of the following accurately describes the anatomical location of this structure?

During elbow arthroscopy, establishing standard portals requires precise knowledge of regional neurovascular anatomy. When creating the standard anteromedial portal, which neural structure is at the greatest risk of injury due to its close proximity (often 1-2 mm) to the arthroscopic trocar?

A distal humerus fracture is treated using a posterior approach with an olecranon osteotomy. During the approach, the ulnar nerve is identified and mobilized. The ulnar nerve enters the forearm between the two heads of which muscle?

A patient presents with a soft tissue mass in the popliteal fossa. Palpation of the mass elicits paresthesias radiating to the plantar aspect of the foot. Which of the following signs is being demonstrated, indicating a neural origin of the tumor?

Following a traumatic median nerve transection, Wallerian degeneration occurs distal to the injury site. Which cell type is primarily responsible for clearing the myelin debris in the peripheral nervous system to allow for subsequent axonal regeneration?

A 25-year-old rugby player presents with an inability to actively flex the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of his ring finger after grabbing an opponent's jersey. Radiographs

reveal a large bony avulsion fragment located at the level of the A4 pulley. Based on the Leddy-Packer classification, what type of flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) avulsion is this?

A 40-year-old clerical worker is diagnosed with severe, recalcitrant cubital tunnel syndrome

. Intraoperatively, the ulnar nerve is found to be compressed precisely where it passes between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU). What is the specific eponymous anatomical structure that forms the roof of this compression site?

During an extensile posterior approach utilizing an olecranon osteotomy for a comminuted distal humerus fracture (AO/OTA 13C3), the surgeon isolates the ulnar nerve. Which vascular structure typically accompanies the ulnar nerve as it passes posterior to the medial epicondyle?

An elderly patient with a highly comminuted intra-articular distal humerus fracture undergoes total elbow arthroplasty with an ulnar nerve transposition. Which blood vessel, which reliably supplies the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel, must be carefully managed to avoid nerve ischemia?

During an olecranon osteotomy approach for open reduction and internal fixation of a complex intra-articular distal humerus fracture, which nerve must be routinely identified and protected or transposed?

During a medial approach to the humerus for vascular exploration, the medial intermuscular septum is encountered. The ulnar nerve passes from the anterior to the posterior compartment by piercing this septum. Which vascular structure typically accompanies the ulnar nerve through this septum?

A 58-year-old female complains of her ring finger catching or locking in a flexed position, especially in the morning. She often has to manually extend it, sometimes with a painful snap. What is the MOST appropriate initial treatment for this condition?

A 35-year-old male jams his finger while playing basketball, resulting in an inability to actively extend the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint of his right ring finger. The finger appears to be in slight flexion at the DIP joint. What is the MOST likely diagnosis and initial management?

A 45-year-old male laborer presents with gradual onset of pain, stiffness, and snapping in his right index finger, particularly worse in the morning. He notes that the finger occasionally gets 'stuck' in a flexed position and requires passive extension to straighten. What is the most likely diagnosis?

What is the primary indication for surgical intervention in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome?

In the context of diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome, what specific pressure-related physical examination finding, when positive, suggests median nerve compression?

Which of the following physical examination maneuvers aims to increase pressure on a peripheral nerve to elicit symptoms and aid in diagnosis?

Which of the following nerve compressions typically causes numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, especially at night?