Radial neuropathy
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| Radial neuropathy | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| 130px | |
| ICD-10 | G56.3 |
| ICD-9 | 354.3 |
| eMedicine | neuro/587 |
| MeSH | D020425 |
Radial neuropathy (or radial mononeuropathy) is a type of mononeuropathy which results from acute trauma to the radial nerve that extends the length of the arm.
It is known as transient paresthesia when sensation is temporarily abnormal.
Cultural references
There are a number of colloquial terms used to describe radial nerve injuries, which are usually dependent on the causation factor:
- Saturday night palsy from falling asleep with one's arm hanging over the arm rest of a chair, compressing the brachial plexus.
- Honeymoon palsy from another individual sleeping on and compressing one's arm overnight.
- Handcuff Neuropathy from tight fitting handcuffs compressing the superficial branch of the distal radial nerve; this is also referred to as cheiralgia paresthetica.
Presentation
Symptoms vary depending on the severity and location of the trauma; however, common symptoms include wrist drop (the inability to extend the wrist upward when the hand is palm down); numbness of the back of the hand and wrist; and inability to voluntarily straighten the fingers.
Causes
There are many ways to acquire radial neuropathy.
The term Saturday Night Palsy refers to nerve damage that can occur if a drunk person falls asleep with the back of their arms compressed by a bar edge, bench back, or like object. Radial neuropathy is also called honeymooners palsy, since it can be acquired by sitting with an arm draped over the back of a neighboring chair (or movie-theater seat) for a long time, or when somebody sleeps with his/her head rested on another persons arm, as for instance in a newly married couple where the partner doesn't yet want to tell his or her partner to use a pillow instead.
Both Saturday night palsy and honeymooners palsy refer to the fact that the nerve damage is generally forewarned by arm pain to a degree that only excessive love or liquor would drive a person to keep their arm in such an uncomfortable position.
Breaking the humerus and deep puncture wounds can also cause the condition.
Improperly sitting in a chair for several hours such that the armrest compresses the underside of the forearm is another potential cause.
Prognosis
Radial neuropathy is not necessarily permanent. Peripheral nerve regeneration is an imperfect and slow process, and full restoration of ability may take months, years, or may never occur.
Notable cases
- Dave Mustaine
- Liona Boyd
- Julia Harvey
- Ram Kumar
