Peripheral nerve injuries: cubital tunnel provocative test: 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 · Peripheral nerve injuries: cubital tunnel provocative test

Sample item

A patient with tingling in the ring and little fingers is asked to hold the elbow fully flexed with the wrist extended for one minute, which reproduces the symptoms. Which site of compression does this test?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel

Elbow flexion stretches the ulnar nerve over the medial epicondyle and narrows the cubital tunnel. Sustained flexion reproduces paraesthesia in the ring and little fingers in cubital tunnel syndrome.

Option by option

  • A. Median nerve at the carpal tunnel

    Carpal tunnel is tested by wrist flexion or direct compression at the wrist.

  • B. Ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel (correct)

    Correct. Sustained elbow flexion tightens the cubital tunnel and provokes ulnar symptoms.

  • C. Radial nerve at the spiral groove

    The radial nerve at the spiral groove is not affected by elbow flexion.

  • D. Brachial plexus at the thoracic outlet

    Thoracic outlet syndrome is provoked by elevation of the arms or neck movements.

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, Ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel. Elbow flexion stretches the ulnar nerve over the medial epicondyle and narrows the cubital tunnel.

Why is "Median nerve at the carpal tunnel" not the answer?

Carpal tunnel is tested by wrist flexion or direct compression at the wrist.

Why is "Radial nerve at the spiral groove" not the answer?

The radial nerve at the spiral groove is not affected by elbow flexion.

Why is "Brachial plexus at the thoracic outlet" not the answer?

Thoracic outlet syndrome is provoked by elevation of the arms or neck movements.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Peripheral nerve injuries: cubital tunnel provocative test in Orthopaedics. Sustained flexion reproduces paraesthesia in the ring and little fingers in 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 Peripheral nerve injuries: cubital tunnel provocative test?

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.