Nerve injuries: Klumpke palsy: 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: Klumpke palsy

Sample item

A patient who grabbed a branch while falling presents with a claw hand and ipsilateral ptosis and miosis. Which lesion is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Lower trunk (C8 and T1) brachial plexus injury

Klumpke palsy involves C8 and T1 and paralyses the small hand muscles, giving a claw hand. Involvement of the sympathetic fibres from T1 causes Horner syndrome, and it may follow traction on an abducted arm.

Option by option

  • A. Upper trunk (C5 and C6) injury

    Upper trunk injury causes the waiter's tip posture.

  • B. Lower trunk (C8 and T1) brachial plexus injury (correct)

    Correct. Claw hand with Horner syndrome indicates a C8 and T1 lesion.

  • C. Radial nerve injury

    Radial nerve injury causes wrist drop.

  • D. Isolated axillary nerve injury

    The axillary nerve does not cause claw hand.

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, Lower trunk (C8 and T1) brachial plexus injury. Klumpke palsy involves C8 and T1 and paralyses the small hand muscles, giving a claw hand.

Why is "Upper trunk (C5 and C6) injury" not the answer?

Upper trunk injury causes the waiter's tip posture.

Why is "Radial nerve injury" not the answer?

Radial nerve injury causes wrist drop.

Why is "Isolated axillary nerve injury" not the answer?

The axillary nerve does not cause claw hand.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nerve injuries: Klumpke palsy in Orthopaedics. Involvement of the sympathetic fibres from T1 causes Horner syndrome, and it may follow traction on an abducted arm.

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: Klumpke palsy?

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.