What symptom indicates the presence of pronator teres syndrome?

• A. Pain during elbow flexion
• B. Paresthesia in the 4th and 5th digits
• C. Paresthesia in the 2nd and 3rd digits
• D. Inability to grip objects

Answer: (C)

The presence of pronator teres syndrome is primarily indicated by paresthesia in the 2nd and 3rd digits, which is consistent with the entrapment of the median nerve as it passes through the pronator teres muscle. This syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed, leading to sensory changes in the areas it innervates, particularly affecting the palmar side of these two fingers.

The 2nd and 3rd digits are affected because they are innervated by the median nerve, which is responsible for sensation in that region. The median nerve also controls some of the hand's motor functions, which might lead to additional weakness in gripping objects, but the hallmark sensory symptom is specifically the tingling or numbness in the 2nd and 3rd digits.

Pain during elbow flexion, paresthesia in the 4th and 5th digits, and inability to grip objects may suggest other conditions such as ulnar nerve entrapment or other types of nerve involvement or joint issues, but they do not specifically correlate to the symptoms of pronator teres syndrome. Therefore, recognizing paresthesia in the 2nd and 3rd digits is critical for identifying this syndrome.