A 24 year old construction worker presents to his physician after an injury on the job. Physical examination is remarkable for marked flexion of the ring and little fingers of the left hand. Which of the following additional findings would most likely be found on physical examination?
Clawing of the ring, forefinger and little fingers is characteristic of an ulnar nerve lesion. Ulnar nerve lesions can also produce wasting of the hypothenar eminence and dorsal interosseous muscles. The latter causes "guttering" between the extensor tendons on the back of the hand. Ulnar lesions also cause loss of sensation to the back of the little finger and half of the ring finger.Sensation on the back of the thumb is provided by the radial nerve.Sensation on the palmar side of the forefinger is provided by the median nerve. Wasting of the thenar eminence is associated with lesions of the median nerve.
Loss of sensation on the back of the thumb
Loss of sensation on the palmar side of the forefinger
Wasting of the dorsal interosseous muscles
Wasting of the thenar eminence