Categories: Neurology

Pronator Drift: Mechanism

Pronator Drift is commonly assessed during a stroke assessment. It is a marker of upper motor neuron weakness.

MECHANISM:

In upper motor neuron weakness, pronation is stronger than supination in the upper extremities, causing a pronation of the affected arm. See Video.

NOTE: This test can be useful in determining consistency. If a patient’s weakness is functional, the patient will almost always drop their arm without pronating it.

REFERENCES

  1. Clinical Neurology, 10e, 2017. Neurologic History & Examination. Roger P. Simon, Michael J. Aminoff, David A. Greenberg
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Dr. C Humphreys

Internal Medicine

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