Article 01-140-19

19 cm
Sensory testing depends on consistent, repeatable stimulation, and the WARTENBERG Pinwheel gives neurologists exactly that in a 19cm stainless steel instrument. Developed by neurologist Robert Wartenberg, this pattern remains the standard tool for mapping dermatomal sensation, and it belongs among NextEdge Surgical’s diagnostic instruments for exactly that reason. Rolling the wheel along the skin lets a clinician track where sharp sensation fades, sharpens, or disappears entirely.
The evenly spaced pins around the wheel’s circumference are what make the test repeatable from one pass to the next. Each rotation delivers the same light, consistent prick, so a clinician can compare one dermatome against another without worrying that uneven pressure skewed the result. That consistency matters directly in diagnosing peripheral neuropathy, nerve root compression, and other sensory deficits where the pattern of loss is often more diagnostic than any single finding.
Common uses include:
Dermatomal sensory mapping during neurological exams
Diabetic neuropathy screening
Assessing nerve involvement in spinal cord injury
Tracking sensory recovery during physical therapy
Baseline sensory testing in general neurology clinics
The stainless build holds its pin geometry through repeated cleaning cycles, so the stimulus stays consistent exam after exam. A neurology practice without a reliable pinwheel is relying on guesswork where a defined test would serve the patient better. Equip your examination rooms with this reliable tool.