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.
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
When damage destroys the nerve covering (myelin sheath) or part of the nerve itself, nerve signaling is slowed or prevented.
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 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. His top areas of expertise are Dupuytren Contracture, Rhizarthrosis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ganglion Cyst, and Hip Replacement.
Summit Orthopedics
Michael Forseth, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon at Summit Orthopedics specializing in the hand, wrist, and elbow. He has a special interest in complex reconstructive surgery and microsurgery, serving patients in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. He completed his hand surgery fellowship at the University of Cincinnati, and he is a frequent recipient of the Top Doctor designation in Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. He is very involved in volunteering his surgical skills to underserved communities through One World Surgery. “Volunteering overseas, in places like Haiti, Columbia, and Honduras, continues to be a positive influence on my practice. My experiences there have broadened my perspective about what I do here—personally and professionally.”. Dr. Forseth is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Radial Nerve Dysfunction. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Rhizarthrosis, Ganglion Cyst, and Tennis Elbow.
Summit Orthopedics
Robert Anderson, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon and president of Summit Orthopedics. He specializes in the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder, serving patients in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Dr. Anderson completed an upper extremity fellowship at the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center. “My own injuries and need for surgeries have helped me understand the patient experience. I’m a better listener and care provider as a result,” Dr. Anderson explaines. “I grew up and attended college in the area, so I know and understand the people of the Twin Cities.” Dr. Anderson is very involved in volunteering his surgical skills to underserved communities through One World Surgery, of which Summit Orthopedics was a founding partner. Dr. Anderson is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Radial Nerve Dysfunction. His top areas of expertise are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ganglion Cyst, Rhizarthrosis, and Tennis Elbow.
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: 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...
Summary: Cricket is transformed over the years and dynamic of batting has changed. Gone are the days, when batters used to play the game with defensive mindset. Maintaining higher striker rate and arsenal of power hitting is the epitome of stroke play in limited overs cricket.This study will compare the effects of the nerve gliding exercises and conventional grip strength exercises on handgrip strength, ra...
Published Date: June 13, 2024
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at 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.
Craig A. Neuropathies. In: Cifu DX, ed. Braddom's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 41.
Jobe MT, Martinez SF, Weller WJ. Peripheral nerve injuries. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 62.
Katirji B. Disorders of peripheral nerves. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 106.
Patterson JMM, Novak CB, Mackinnon SE. Compression neuropathies. In: Wolfe SW, Pederson WC, Kozin SH, Cohen MS, eds. Green's Operative Hand Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 28.