What Causes Radial Nerve Neuropathy?

Radial Nerve Neuropathy

The radial nerve is the nerve that runs down the back of the arm, through the triceps muscle and into the hand. It also allows the wrist to flex and allows the wrist and hand to feel sensations like hot and cold. Neuropathy arises when there is damage to a nerve and the nerve is inflamed, restricting normal function.

How can the radial nerve get damaged? According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, there are a number of conditions or circumstances that can damage the nerve, such as pressure on the nerve from hanging your arm over the back of a chair or sleeping in a strange position where the arm was trapped. Other causes include the aptly named "Saturday-night palsy" which pinches the nerve for long periods of time (when you're sleeping it off) and improper use of crutches so that the nerve is compressed.

Symptoms of possible nerve damage include having difficulty turning or flexing your wrist, a burning sensation anywhere along the radial nerve, tingling, being unable to extend your arm, muscle weakness and a tendency to drop things from the affected hand. Other symptoms include weakness of your fingers and wrist and pain along the affected nerve.

Several tests should be run to confirm a diagnosis of radial never damage. These include a nerve biopsy where the doctor takes a small piece of the radial nerve in your wrist (with local anesthetic) to check for damage and a nerve conduction test which shows the doctor the speed of the signal running through the radial nerve. The nerve conduction test is ordinarily done at the same time as an electromyography (EMG), when a very thin wire is inserted under your skin and into muscle tissue adjacent to the radial nerve. This shows the doctor how much electrical activity is contained in your muscles.

Generally, no interventional therapies or surgeries are needed. The nerve will slowly recover on its own most of the time, according to an article in "The New York Times," providing the precipitating cause no longer applies. In other words, once the bone is set or the pressure on the nerve is abated, you shouldn't have any further trouble with your radial nerve. In rare cases, surgery to remove any cysts or masses that will continue to affect the radial nerve may be the best treatment option.

Over-the-counter analgesics (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) can help with mild pain; occasionally the doctor will prescribe stronger pain medicines. Taking oral steroids to reduce swelling of the nerve or nerve sheath (myelin) and using a brace to stabilize your hand and wrist to increase functionality are common treatments. If necessary, your physician will recommend physical therapy to restore range of motion to the affected limb.