Radial Nerve DysfunctionSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Radial Nerve Dysfunction
Radial nerve dysfunction is a problem with the radial nerve. This is the nerve that travels from the armpit down the back of the arm to the hand. It helps you move your arm, wrist, and hand.
Neuropathy - radial nerve; Radial nerve palsy; Mononeuropathy
Damage to one nerve, such as the radial nerve, is called mononeuropathy. Mononeuropathy means there is damage to a single nerve. Diseases affecting the entire body (systemic disorders) can also cause isolated nerve damage. When damage destroys the nerve covering (myelin sheath) or part of the nerve itself, nerve signaling is slowed or prevented. When the nerve fibers themselves (axons) are injured, this may cause a more severe problem.
Causes of mononeuropathy include:
- An illness in the whole body that damages a single nerve
- Direct injury to the nerve
- Long-term pressure on the nerve
- Pressure on the nerve caused by swelling or injury of nearby body structures
Radial neuropathy occurs when there is damage to the radial nerve, which travels down the arm and controls:
- Movement of the triceps muscle at the back of the upper arm
- Ability to bend the wrist and fingers backward
- Movement of the wrist and hand
- Sensation of part of the back of the hand
Damage to the radial nerve can be caused by:
- Broken arm bone and other injury
- Diabetes
- Improper use of crutches leading to excess pressure in the armpit
- Lead poisoning
- Long-term or repeated constriction of the wrist (for example, from wearing handcuffs or a tight watch strap)
- Long-term pressure on the nerve, usually caused by swelling or injury of nearby body structures
- Pressure to the upper arm from arm positions during sleep or coma
In some cases, no cause can be found.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Abnormal sensations in the back and thumb side of the hand, or in the thumb, 2nd, and 3rd fingers
- Weakness, loss of coordination of the fingers
- Problem straightening the arm at the elbow
- Problem bending the hand back at the wrist, or holding the hand
- Pain, numbness, decreased sensation, tingling, or burning sensation in the areas controlled by the nerve
The goal of treatment is to allow you to use the hand and arm as much as possible. Your provider will find and treat the cause, if possible. Sometimes, no treatment is needed and you will get better on your own.
If medicines are needed, they may include:
- Over-the-counter or prescription pain medicines
- Corticosteroid injections around the nerve to reduce swelling and pressure
Your provider will likely suggest self-care measures. These may include:
- A supportive splint at either the wrist or elbow to help prevent further injury and relieve the symptoms. You may need to wear it all day and night, or only at night.
- An elbow pad if the radial nerve is injured at the elbow. Also, avoid bumping or leaning on the elbow.
- Physical therapy exercises to help maintain muscle strength in the arm.
Occupational therapy or counseling to suggest changes in the workplace may be needed.
Surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve may help if the symptoms get worse, or if there is proof that part of the nerve is wasting away.
Proliance Surgeons
Dr. Wayne Weil is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who is well known in the community for his expertise in hand surgery. He sees patients with a wide variety of hand ailments, including carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, dupuytren’s syndrome, thumb arthritis, wrist fractures, and more. Dr. Weil is the only physician in the Swedish Hospital system who performs endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery, like the traditional approach to carpal tunnel surgery, boasts excellent outcomes. The advantage is that it is minimally invasive, and patients generally regain function sooner. Likewise, Dr. Weil is one of the only physicians in Seattle who performs the endoscopic cubital tunnel release surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome (or, “cell phone elbow”). Dr. Weil is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Radial Nerve Dysfunction. He is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Dupuytren Contracture, Rhizarthrosis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ganglion Cyst, and Hip Replacement. Dr. Weil is board certified in American Board Of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Weil is currently accepting new patients.
Texas Health Orthopedic Specialists
Andrew Parker is a Sports Medicine specialist and an Orthopedics provider practicing medicine in Allen, Texas. Dr. Parker is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Radial Nerve Dysfunction. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Tendinitis, Osteoarthritis, Frozen Shoulder, Bursitis, and Hip Replacement.
Texas Health Hand And Upper Extremity Specialists
Timothy Niacaris is a Hand Surgeon and an Orthopedics provider practicing medicine in Arlington, Texas. Dr. Niacaris is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Radial Nerve Dysfunction. He is also highly rated in 5 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Trigger Thumb, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Dupuytren Contracture, and Rhizarthrosis.
If the cause of the nerve dysfunction can be found and successfully treated, there is a good chance that you will fully recover. In some cases, there may be partial or complete loss of movement or sensation.
Complications may include:
- Mild to severe deformity of the hand
- Partial or complete loss of feeling in the hand
- Partial or complete loss of wrist or hand movement
- Recurrent or unnoticed injury to the hand
Contact your provider if you have an arm injury and develop numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness down the back of the arm and the thumb and your first 2 fingers.
Avoid prolonged pressure on the upper arm.
Summary: Spasticity is a major contributor to functional limitations in children with cerebral palsy. Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) has emerged as a non-invasive method for reducing spasticity; however, the optimal session frequency remains unclear. This randomized, assessor-blinded, parallel-group controlled trial investigates the effects of different rESWT session frequencies on spasti...
Summary: This study investigates how well ultrasound imaging can identify damage to the radial nerve in patients with a broken upper arm bone (humeral shaft fracture). Some of these patients also have weakness or paralysis in their hand and wrist due to injury to the radial nerve. The study compares patients with and without radial nerve problems to see if early ultrasound scans can accurately detect nerve...
Published Date: May 04, 2026
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Professor of Neurology, Cooper-Inspira Neuroscience, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Weller WJ. Peripheral nerve injuries. In: Azar FM, Sawyer JR, Throckmorton TW, Jones L, Priggel T, Coble T, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2027:chap 67.