Which thoracic outlet assessment is appropriate for a student with numbness in their arms from a heavy backpack?

The appropriate assessment for a student experiencing numbness in their arms due to a heavy backpack is the test that involves drawing the shoulder down and back, known as the costoclavicular syndrome test. This assessment is relevant in evaluating thoracic outlet syndrome, particularly since one common cause of symptoms is compression at the costoclavicular space, which can be exacerbated by the weight of a heavy backpack.

In this context, the mechanism is that the heavy backpack may lead to tightness or muscle overuse in the surrounding structures, potentially compressing the neurovascular bundle traveling through the thoracic outlet. Conducting this assessment aids in determining whether the symptoms are related to such compression, as it directly affects the relationship between the clavicle and the first rib, where vessels and nerves can be compressed.

Other assessments listed may also explore thoracic outlet syndrome, but they do not specifically target the type of compression symptoms that are likely present in this scenario related to the weight of the backpack. Thus, the costoclavicular syndrome test provides a focused approach to understanding the student’s symptoms in relation to their recent activities and physical load.