What are the signs and symptoms of radial nerve palsy?

What are the signs and symptoms of radial nerve palsy?

Radial nerve palsy symptoms include:

• Numbness from the triceps down to the fingers.
• Problems extending the wrist or fingers.
• Pinching and grasping problems.
• Weakness or inability to control muscles from the triceps down to the fingers.
• Wrist drop – when the wrist hangs limply and the patient cannot lift it.
  

  What are the symptoms of radial nerve injuries?

  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.

  How do you treat radial nerve palsy?

  How is radial nerve palsy treated?

  
  1. Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take away or decrease pain.
  2. Splint or cast: You may need a splint or cast to help support your wrist and hand while the radial nerve heals.
  3. Physical therapy: Physical therapy helps you with special exercises.

  Can wrist drop be cured?

  Causes of wrist drop can range for penetrative trauma to external compression (Saturday night palsy) to systemic nutritional deficiencies. Treatment can range from none to surgery, depending on the nature and extent of the injury to the radial nerve.

  Will my radial nerve heal?

  Most people with a radial nerve injury will recover within three months of starting treatment if the nerve is not torn or lacerated. But some cases ultimately require surgery. If your radial nerve is entrapped, surgery can relieve pressure on the nerve.

  What causes a wrist drop?

  Wrist drop is caused by damage to the radial nerve, which travels down the arm and controls the movement of the triceps muscle at the back of the upper arm, because of several conditions. This nerve controls the backward bend of wrists and helps with the movement and sensation of the wrist and fingers.

  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.

  What causes radial nerve entrapment?

  Overuse of the arm to push or pull and overuse of the hand by gripping, pinching, or bending the wrist can irritate the nerve and cause pain. Repeating the same movement, such as twisting the arm or wrist on the job or playing sports, squeezes the radial nerve. Over time, this can cause radial tunnel syndrome.

  Can you fix wrist drop?

  Treatment. Initial treatment includes splinting of the wrist for support, along with osteopathic medicine, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. In some cases, surgical removal of bone spurs or other anatomical defects that may be impinging on the nerve might be warranted.