Radial nerve dysfunction

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Radial nerve dysfunction
Other namesRadial neuropathy, radial mononeuropathy
The suprascapular, axillary, and radial nerves.
SpecialtyNeurology

Radial nerve dysfunction is a problem associated with the

mononeuropathy. One out of every ten patients with radial nerve dysfunction do so because of a fractured humerus.[3]

Signs and symptoms

People experiencing radial nerve dysfunction may also experience any of the following symptoms:[medical citation needed]

  • Lost ability or discomfort in extending the elbow
  • Lost ability or discomfort bending hand back at the wrist
  • Numbness
  • Abnormal sensations near the thumb, index and middle fingers
  • Sharp or burning pain
  • Weakness in grip
  • Drooping of the hand, also called wrist drop

Cause

There are many ways to acquire radial nerve palsy.

The term Saturday Night Palsy refers to an injury to the radial nerve in the spiral groove of the humerus caused while sleeping in a position that would under normal circumstances cause discomfort. It can occur when a person falls asleep while heavily medicated and/or under the influence of alcohol with the underside of the arm compressed by a bar edge, bench, chair back, or like object. Sleeping with the head resting on the arm can also cause radial nerve palsy.

Breaking the humerus and deep puncture wounds can also cause the condition.

Posterior interosseus palsy is distinguished from radial nerve palsy by the preservation of elbow extension. Symptoms vary depending on the severity and location of the trauma; however, common symptoms include

numbness of the back of the hand and wrist, specifically over the first web space which is innervated by the radial nerve; and inability to voluntarily straighten the fingers or extend the thumb, which is performed by muscles of the extensor group, all of which are primarily innervated by the radial nerve. Loss of wrist extension is due to paralysis of the posterior compartment of forearm muscles; although the elbow extensors are also innervated by the radial nerve, their innervation is usually spared because the compression occurs below, distal, to the level of the axillary nerve, which innervates the long head of the triceps, and the upper branches of the radial nerve that innervate the remainder of the Triceps.[4]

Saturnine neuropathy can also be a cause of radial neuropathy (radial palsy).[5]

Mechanism

The

axons within the nerve, which would interrupt signal transduction to and from the brain. As a result of the interrupted signal, the patient may experience loss of feeling and/or motor control
.

Diagnosis

In order to diagnose radial nerve dysfunction, a doctor will conduct a physical examination. During the exam of the arm, wrist, and hand, the doctor will look for: difficulty straightening the arm at the elbow; trouble turning the arm outward; difficulty lifting the wrist; muscle loss or

MRI of the neck and shoulders to screen for other problems; nerve biopsy; nerve conduction tests; ultrasound of the elbow.[7]

Prognosis

Radial neuropathy is not necessarily permanent. The majority of radial neuropathies due to an acute compressive event (Saturday night palsy) do recover without intervention. If the injury is demyelinating (meaning only the myelin sheath surrounding the nerve is damaged), then full recovery typically occurs within 2–4 weeks. If the injury is axonal (meaning the underlying nerve fiber itself is damaged) then full recovery may take months or years, or may never occur. EMG and nerve conduction studies are typically performed to diagnose the extent and distribution of the damage, and to help with prognosis for recovery.

Society and culture

There are a number of colloquial terms used to describe radial nerve injuries, which are usually dependent on the causation factor:

References

  1. ^ "The Radial Nerve". Teach Me Anatomy. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  2. S2CID 7412220
    .
  3. ^ Murray, Peter. "Radial Nerve Injuries Associated with Fractures of the Humerus". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  4. ISBN 9780781721325
    .
  5. PMID 29368328
    .
  6. ^ "Nerve Damage". Neurology and Neurosurgery. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Radial Nerve Dysfunction". MedlinePlus. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  8. ISBN 978-81-8448-744-2
    .
  9. ISBN 978-0-8307-4313-1
    .
  10. ^ Moore, K.L. (2003). Essential Clinical Anatomy. Elsevier Health Sciences.
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