It is a condition resulting from radial nerve injury.

What is the radial nerve?

It is a nerve in arm and hand originating at shoulder level, traveling deep in the arm, traveling under muscles of forearm and ending in the hand. It carries sensations from part of the hand and supplies many muscles that control the arm, wrist and the hand.

 

What exactly happens in radial neuropathy?

A nerve is like an electric wire with its coating and inside nerve fibers. If it is pressed, its coating can be damaged, and if it is pressed even further, inside fibers can be damaged resulting in permanent nerve injury and weakness.

 

What are the symptoms of radial neuropathy?

Its most common symptom is wrist weakness, or the “wrist-drop”, when patient is unable to extend the wrist. Depending upon the exact location of injury, weakness can also involve some arm muscles.

 

What may cause radial neuropathy?

Radial nerve is a relatively protected nerve and is not injured as much as other two nerves (ulnar and median) in the arm or hand. Its injury is usually caused by direct trauma (arm fracture, surgical complication) or some peculiar activity. A classic example is due to crutch use, and the so-called “Saturday night palsy,” in which a patient might have been drinking alcohol the night before and slept on a bench with arm resting on the hard surface of the bench, or a “honeymooner’s palsy,” when a person slept on other person’s arm, pinching the nerve. It can also be affected by an inflammatory process, like an auto-immune process, or a metabolic abnormality (like diabetes mellitus).

 

How is radial neuropathy diagnosed?

Its peculiar clinical features raise suspicion for its diagnosis. The diagnosis is confirmed by an EMG/NCS or electromyogram and nerve conduction studies. This test is done to check the whole circuitry of this nerve, from the neck to the hand, to find the exact location of injury.

 

What else can look like radial neuropathy?

A pinched nerve in the neck, or cervical radiculopathy, may also present in the same manner. Other diagnoses to consider are a small stroke, and muscle disorders.

 

How is radial neuropathy treated?

Its treatment depends upon the location of injury and its cause. In acute trauma, emergency measures may be needed, including high dose of steroid or surgery. A wrist splint can help with wrist weakness. Usually, physical and occupational therapy is started at the same time to strengthen the weakened muscles and regain lost function.

 

Where can I get more information about ulnar neuropathy?

American Academy of Neurology

American Society of Neurological Surgeons

American Society of Orthopedic surgeons

American Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation