Radial nerve dysfunction

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Radial nerve dysfunction

Radial nerve dysfunction is a problem with the radial nerve. Damage to the radial nerve leads to problems with movement or sensation of the back of the arm (triceps), forearm, or hand.

Neuropathy - radial nerve; Radial nerve palsy; Mononeuropathy

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. It also controls the ability to bend the wrist backward and helps with the movement and sensation of the wrist and hand.

Mononeuropathy means a single nerve is damaged. With mononeuropathy, usually the nerve damage is caused locally. However, body-wide disorders may damage just one nerve.

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Causes are:

• Injury
  • "Crutch palsy," caused by improper use of crutches
  • Fracture of the humerus (upper arm bone)
  • Long-term or repeated constriction of the wrist (for example, from wearing a tight watch strap)
  • Pressure caused by hanging the arm over the back of a chair ("Saturday night palsy" if caused by drinking too much alcohol and falling asleep in that position)
  • Pressure to the upper arm from arm positions during sleep or coma
  • Pinching of the nerve during deep sleep, such as when a person is intoxicated
• Long-term pressure on the nerve, usually caused by swelling or injury of nearby body structures

In some cases, no cause can be found.

If other nerves are also affected, the health care provider should look for a medical problem that can affect nerves. Medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease can damage nerves.

Review Date: 09/26/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).