Nerve injuries: Wartenberg sign: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Orthopaedics · Nerve injuries: Wartenberg sign

Sample item

A patient with long-standing ulnar neuropathy at the elbow cannot adduct the little finger when the fingers are held together. What is this called and why does it occur?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Wartenberg sign; the extensor digiti minimi pulls the little finger into abduction against a weak third palmar interosseous

In Wartenberg's sign the little finger stays abducted because the third palmar interosseous, which adducts it, is paralysed. The extensor digiti minimi, supplied by the radial nerve, is unopposed. It is a feature of ulnar nerve palsy and cubital tunnel syndrome.

Option by option

  • A. Tinel sign; the nerve is regenerating

    Tinel sign is tingling on percussion over a regenerating or compressed nerve.

  • B. Froment sign; the adductor pollicis is weak

    Froment sign refers to thumb interphalangeal flexion when gripping paper, caused by adductor pollicis weakness.

  • C. Benediction sign; the median nerve is injured

    Benediction sign occurs in a high median nerve lesion when attempting to make a fist.

  • D. Wartenberg sign; the extensor digiti minimi pulls the little finger into abduction against a weak third palmar interosseous (correct)

    Correct. Unopposed extensor digiti minimi abducts the little finger in ulnar palsy.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Orthopaedics questions

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is D, Wartenberg sign; the extensor digiti minimi pulls the little finger into abduction against a weak third palmar interosseous. In Wartenberg's sign the little finger stays abducted because the third palmar interosseous, which adducts it, is paralysed.

Why is "Tinel sign; the nerve is regenerating" not the answer?

Tinel sign is tingling on percussion over a regenerating or compressed nerve.

Why is "Froment sign; the adductor pollicis is weak" not the answer?

Froment sign refers to thumb interphalangeal flexion when gripping paper, caused by adductor pollicis weakness.

Why is "Benediction sign; the median nerve is injured" not the answer?

Benediction sign occurs in a high median nerve lesion when attempting to make a fist.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nerve injuries: Wartenberg sign in Orthopaedics. The extensor digiti minimi, supplied by the radial nerve, is unopposed. It is a feature of ulnar nerve palsy and cubital tunnel syndrome.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Nerve injuries: Wartenberg sign?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.