Table of Contents
What happens when the radial nerve is compressed?
Radial tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve is pinched or compressed as it enters the radial tunnel. This creates unwanted pressure on your radial nerve, often causing nagging pain.
What is the main cause of radial nerve compression?
Improper use of crutches. Lead poisoning. Long-term or repeated constriction of the wrist (for example, from wearing a tight watch strap) Long-term pressure on the nerve, usually caused by swelling or injury of nearby body structures.
Where does radial nerve get compressed?
Compression or entrapment can occur at any location within the course of the nerve distribution, but the most frequent location of entrapment occurs in the proximal forearm. This most common location is typically in proximity to the supinator and often will involve the posterior interosseous nerve branch.
What is Neuropraxia of the radial nerve?
Radial nerve neuropraxia: Injury happens to your radial nerve, which moves signals between the back of your arm and hand. You typically feel symptoms in your hand, especially your thumb, middle and index fingers, or in the back of your hand. Sural nerve neuropraxia: Your sural nerve is damaged.
What muscles compress the radial nerve?
Other, less common causes of radial nerve palsy in the arm include compression at the fibrous arch of the lateral head of the triceps and compression by an accessory subscapularis-teres-latissimus muscle.
How do you test for radial nerve compression?
Imaging tests like MRI or ultrasound may be ordered to look for a tumor or other lesion that could be compressing the nerve. A doctor may order electromyelography (EMG), also known as a nerve conduction study, to confirm a diagnosis of radial nerve injury and make sure other nerves are not involved.
What is Neuropraxia axonotmesis and neurotmesis?
The second degree in which the axon is damaged but the surrounding connecting tissue remains intact is called axonotmesis. The last degree in which both the axon and connective tissue are damaged is called neurotmesis.
What does neurotmesis mean?
Neurotmesis is a complete transection of a peripheral nerve. The severity of peripheral nerve injury can be classified as neurapraxia, axonotmesis, or neurotmesis. Neurotmesis will produce complete sensory and motor deficits to the skin and muscles innervated by the injured nerve.
How do you decompress a radial nerve?
The radial nerve can be decompressed through a surgical procedure called radial tunnel release. The surgery is recommended when conservative options fail over a period of 3 months, and in severe cases where the wrist becomes extremely weak and extending the fingers is difficult.
How do you assess radial nerve damage?
An EMG measures the electrical activity in your muscle. A nerve conduction test measures the speed at which impulses travel along your nerves. These tests can help determine if you are experiencing a problem in your nerve or in your muscle. They may also show whether the radial nerve is damaged.
How do you treat RTS?
There is no specific treatment for RTS. However, the following treatments can be used to manage problems commonly associated with the condition. Surgery to repair the bones in the thumbs or toes can sometimes improve grasp or relieve discomfort.
How is neurotmesis diagnosed?
Neurotmesis is diagnosed through clinical evaluation of symptoms, physical evaluation, and other diagnostic studies. Patients often undergo a series of muscle strength tests, sensory exam which includes feeling the sensation of light touch, pinprick, vibration, and others.
Does neurotmesis heal?
Neurotmesis will produce complete sensory and motor deficits to the skin and muscles innervated by the injured nerve. Spontaneous recovery of function is extremely suboptimal without surgical intervention.
What does a pinched radial nerve feel like?
If it’s injured, radial nerve pain usually occurs when your palm is pressed against something and your wrist is bent back. It’s typically a sharp, radiating, or burning pain. This usually occurs in the back of the hand, around the thumb, and in the middle and index fingers.
Why is it called Saturday night palsy?
THE TERM Saturday night palsy has become synonymous with radial nerve compression in the arm resulting from direct pressure against a firm object. It typically follows deep sleep on the arm, often after alcohol intoxication. The commonly accepted origin of the phrase is the association of Saturday night with carousing.
What it is called Saturday night palsy?
Saturday night palsy refers to a compressive neuropathy of the radial nerve that occurs from prolonged, direct pressure onto the upper medial arm or axilla by an object or surface. The radial nerve is composed of the C5 to T1 nerve roots, which arise from the posterior segment of the brachial nerve plexus.