Peripheral nerve entrapment: 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 entrapment

Sample item

A woman has night-time tingling in the lateral three and a half fingers, thenar wasting and a positive Tinel's sign at the wrist. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Carpal tunnel syndrome

Compression of the median nerve under the flexor retinaculum causes paraesthesia in the median distribution, worse at night, with thenar weakness later. Phalen's and Tinel's tests support it.

Option by option

  • A. Cubital tunnel syndrome

    Cubital tunnel affects the ulnar nerve at the elbow.

  • B. Guyon's canal syndrome

    Guyon's canal syndrome affects the ulnar nerve at the wrist.

  • C. Carpal tunnel syndrome (correct)

    Correct.

  • D. Radial tunnel syndrome

    Radial tunnel syndrome causes forearm pain, not median symptoms.

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.

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Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is C, Carpal tunnel syndrome. Compression of the median nerve under the flexor retinaculum causes paraesthesia in the median distribution, worse at night, with thenar weakness later.

Why is "Cubital tunnel syndrome" not the answer?

Cubital tunnel affects the ulnar nerve at the elbow.

Why is "Guyon's canal syndrome" not the answer?

Guyon's canal syndrome affects the ulnar nerve at the wrist.

Why is "Radial tunnel syndrome" not the answer?

Radial tunnel syndrome causes forearm pain, not median symptoms.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Peripheral nerve entrapment in Orthopaedics. Phalen's and Tinel's tests support it.

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 entrapment?

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.