Physical Exam Forearm

Introduction

Skin
- Color: erythema, ecchymosis, pallor, darkened, cyanotic
- Trophic changes (altered hair growth, sweat production)
Scars
Swelling, prominent veins
Muscle tone
- Atrophy, hypertrophy
Deformity: asymmetry, rotation, amputation

Wrist^[1]
- Flexion: 80-90
- Extension: 60-70
- Radial Deviation: 15-20
- Ulnar Deviation: 40-60
Forearm
- Pronation: 75-80
- Supination: 80-85
Elbow
- Flexion: 150-160
- Extension: 0
  - Also note if elbow extends past 0 (negative degrees)

Sensory Nerves
- Light touch
- Lateral: Lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm (branch of Musculocutaneous Nerve)
- Posterior: Posterior cutaneous nerve of forearm (branch of Radial Nerve)
- Medial: Medial cutaneous nerve of forearm (branch of Ulnar Nerve)
Motor Nerves:
- Musculocutaneous Nerve: Elbow flexion, supination
- Radial Nerve: Elbow extension, elbow flexion, supination, wrist extension, wrist adduction, wrist abduction
  - Posterior Interosseus Nerve: Most hand and wrist extensors
- Median Nerve: Pronation, wrist flexion, wrist abduction,
  - Anterior Interosseus Nerve: “A-OK” sign or pinch grip test
- Ulnar Nerve: Wrist flexion, wrist adduction
Vascular
- Radial pulse
- Ulnar pulse