Section III - 20
Patient Positioning

After surgery, a patient complains of numbness in the lateral hand and fourth and fifth finger, as well as being unable to firmly close their little finger against their thumb. Why does the motor dysfunction suggest a more significant ulnar nerve injury and a slower recovery time than a neuropathy with only sensory loss?

The motor fibers are damaged more easily than sensory fibers. Sensory fibers heal more quickly than motor fibers. A more significant ischemic injury has occurred if the motor fibers deep in the ulnar nerve are affected. The motor fibers are more superficial on the ulnar nerve.

Section III - 20Patient Positioning

Section III - 20
Patient Positioning