How can you tell the difference between pronator teres syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome?
Nocturnal exacerbations are common in carpal tunnel syndrome but notably absent in pronator syndrome (10,11,12). Both are exacerbated by wrist flexion, but the symptoms of pronator syndrome are often increased with resisted or repetitive forearm pronation or supination.
Which nerve is trapped in pronator syndrome?
Pronator syndrome (or pronator teres syndrome [PTS]), defined as compression of the median nerve in the forearm that results in predominantly sensory alteration in the median nerve distribution of the hand and the palmar cutaneous distribution of the thenar eminence.
What causes forearm pain?
Causes of forearm pain frequently include sports injuries, overuse injuries, fractures, pinched nerves, or accidents. Forearm pain may also be related to a general infection, such as the common cold, that causes body aches, or to an infection of the tissues of the forearm itself.
What causes forearm pronation?
Pronator syndrome occurs from entrapment of the median nerve by the pronator teres muscle. It is associated with prolonged or repetitive forearm movements, i.e., gripping with the palm down. Carpenters, mechanics, assembly line workers, tennis players, rowers, and weight lifters are predisposed to this problem.
Where is flexor digitorum Superficialis?
forearm
Flexor digitorum superficialis (flexor digitorum sublimis) is an extrinsic flexor muscle of the fingers at the proximal interphalangeal joints. It is in the anterior compartment of the forearm.
How is forearm pain diagnosed?
Other possible symptoms associated with forearm pain include:
- swelling of your forearm or fingers.
- numbness in your fingers or forearm.
- affected strength, such as weakened grip strength.
- poor range of motion.
- an elbow or wrist joint that pops, clicks, or catches with movement.
What does the forearm do?
Structure and Function The muscles of the forearm or antebrachium work together to move the elbow, forearm, wrist, and digits of the hand.
What are the symptoms of pronator teres syndrome?
Patients will complain of dull aching pain over the proximal (flexor compartment) of the forearm, i.e., over the pronator teres muscle and associated paresthesia in the 3½ digits (thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger). While in the carpal tunnel, syndrome symptoms will be only limited to 3½ digits.
What are the risk factors for pronator syndrome?
Risk factors for the development of Pronator Syndrome include hypothyroidism, diabetes, and activities which require pronation of the forearm, which is the act of rotating the forearm from a palms up to palms down position. What are the symptoms of Pronator Syndrome? Pronator syndrome typically causes an aching pain in the forearm.
Where does Pronator Syndrome occur in the arm?
It runs the length of the arm beginning in the axilla, and its branches end in the fingers. In Pronator Syndrome, compression of the nerve occurs at the elbow. Entrapment of the median nerve can also occur at the wrist, causing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or at the forearm, causing Anterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome.
How is carpal tunnel syndrome and pronator syndrome related?
While not the same condition, pronator syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome are closely related, as they both involve the compression of the median nerve at a joint. Pronator syndrome describes the condition as it occurs at the elbow, where carpal tunnel syndrome is localized to the wrist.