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Radial nerve dysfunction - Symptom

Alternative Names

Neuropathy - radial nerve ; Radial nerve palsy

Symptoms:

Symptoms can affect the following:

  • Hand or forearm ("back" of the hand)
  • "Thumb side" (radial surface) of the dorsal hand
  • Fingers nearest the thumb (2nd and 3rd)

The following symptoms may occur:

  • Abnormal sensations
  • Difficulty extending the arm at the elbow
  • Difficulty extending the wrist
  • Numbness, decreased sensation, tingling, or burning sensation
  • Pain

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will take a history of your activities and injuries. An examination of the arm, hand, and wrist may identify radial nerve dysfunction.

The exam may find:

  • Decreased ability to extend the arm at the elbow
  • Decreased ability to rotate the arm outward (supination)
  • Difficulty lifting the wrist or fingers (extensor muscle weakness)
  • Muscle loss (atrophy) in the forearm
  • Weakness of the wrist and finger
  • Wrist or finger drop

In rare cases, it may be difficult to tell radial nerve dysfunction apart from a stroke.

Tests for nerve dysfunction may include:

  • Reviewed last on: 9/22/2008
  • 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.
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