Peripheral nerve injuries: cheiralgia paraesthetica: 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.

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Orthopaedics · Peripheral nerve injuries: cheiralgia paraesthetica

Sample item

A woman who wears a tight wristwatch strap has numbness and tingling over the dorsum of the thumb and first web space. Motor power is normal, and Tinel sign is positive at the distal radius. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Wartenberg syndrome (superficial radial nerve compression)

The superficial radial nerve is purely sensory and runs under the brachioradialis before emerging near the radial styloid, where it can be compressed by straps, bracelets or handcuffs. Sensory symptoms over the dorsolateral hand with normal power fit Wartenberg syndrome.

Option by option

  • A. Carpal tunnel syndrome

    Carpal tunnel affects the palmar side of the thumb, index and middle fingers.

  • B. Wartenberg syndrome (superficial radial nerve compression) (correct)

    Correct. A sensory-only complaint on the dorsoradial hand after strap pressure fits compression of the superficial radial nerve.

  • C. Posterior interosseous nerve palsy

    A posterior interosseous palsy is purely motor and causes finger drop.

  • D. De Quervain tenosynovitis

    De Quervain disease causes pain over the first dorsal compartment on movement of the thumb, without numbness.

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 B, Wartenberg syndrome (superficial radial nerve compression). The superficial radial nerve is purely sensory and runs under the brachioradialis before emerging near the radial styloid, where it can be compressed by straps, bracelets or handcuffs.

Why is "Carpal tunnel syndrome" not the answer?

Carpal tunnel affects the palmar side of the thumb, index and middle fingers.

Why is "Posterior interosseous nerve palsy" not the answer?

A posterior interosseous palsy is purely motor and causes finger drop.

Why is "De Quervain tenosynovitis" not the answer?

De Quervain disease causes pain over the first dorsal compartment on movement of the thumb, without numbness.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Peripheral nerve injuries: cheiralgia paraesthetica in Orthopaedics. Sensory symptoms over the dorsolateral hand with normal power fit Wartenberg syndrome.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Peripheral nerve injuries: cheiralgia paraesthetica?

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.