For a patient with a herniated C5/6 disc, which nerves are most appropriate to monitor during surgery?

Monitoring the median and posterior tibial nerves during surgery for a patient with a herniated C5/6 disc is appropriate due to their anatomical and functional relevance to this level of the cervical spine. The herniated disc at the C5/6 level predominantly affects the C6 nerve root, which is associated with the innervation of the upper limb, particularly the radial side of the forearm and hand.

The median nerve is crucial because it is responsible for innervating muscles in the forearm and hand, including those involved in grasping and fine motor skills. Monitoring this nerve can provide insight into the functional status of the upper extremities and help in identifying any potential nerve damage during the surgical procedure.

The posterior tibial nerve is important as it comes from the sacral plexus but serves a crucial role in monitoring the lower limb. It can be helpful to evaluate overall neurologic integrity during spinal surgery, given that complications can arise affecting both upper and lower limb function following such procedures.

This combination of nerves allows for a comprehensive assessment of sensory and motor function, which is critical in the context of cervical spine surgery where both the upper limbs (median nerve) and potential cascading effects on lower limbs (posterior tibial nerve) should