Nerve injury

Rationale

Peripheral nerve injuries often occur as part of more extensive trauma and often go unrecognized. Evaluation of these injuries is based on an accurate knowledge of the anatomy and function of the nerve(s) involved.

Causal Conditions

(list not exhaustive)

1. Compression, stretch
2. Contusion
3. Laceration

Key Objectives

Given a patient with a potential nerve injury, the candidate will diagnose the cause, severity and complications, and initiate an appropriate management plan. In particular, the candidate will identify the peripheral nerve involved, as well as the level and type of involvement.

Enabling Objectives

Given a patient with a potential nerve injury, the candidate will

1. list and interpret critical clinical findings, including:
   1. features on occupational history and physical examination that can help determine whether a peripheral nerve injury has occurred in the setting of other trauma;
   2. the specific nerve involvement;
   3. a differential diagnosis based on differentiation of a nerve injury from other neurologic disorders (e.g., non-traumatic neuropathies, central lesions);
2. list and interpret critical investigations, including
   1. tests used to diagnose the presence of a traumatic peripheral neuropathy;
3. construct an effective initial management plan, including
   1. listing indications for specialized care.