Introduction

Components of the sensory examination:

  1. Light touch
  2. Pain and temperature
  3. Vibration sense
  4. Position sense
  5. 2 point discrimination
  6. Graphesthesia
  7. Stereognosis
  8. Double simultaneous stimuli (extinction)

Examination Technique:

  • patients should be sufficiently undressed but draped to preserve modesty.
  • begin distally and move proximally and avoid calloused areas.
    compare right to left.
  • when necessary assess for a sensory level, peripheral nerve or dermatomal sensory impairment.

Dermatomes

Introduction