About this topic
The radial nerve is in the arm. It starts near your armpit and goes down the back of the upper arm. At the elbow, the radial nerve divides into two branches. One is the superficial radial nerve. The other, the posterior interosseous nerve, goes into the lower arm below the elbow. Sometimes, your nerve can become squeezed or trapped. Then, you will have pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling in the back of your lower arm. It may be on the back of your hand or near your thumb. ‚
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What are the causes?
Repeated pressure or injury to the nerve ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
Having a job where you repeatedly turn your hand facing up ‚
What are the main signs?
- Pain at the elbow and lower arm. It may also go into the upper arm. Most often, the pain is worse about 2 inches below the outer elbow bone.
- Numbness, tingling, burning, or aching. This may be at the back of your arm or hand. You may also have these signs in your thumb and the two fingers closest to the thumb.
- Weakness or trouble when:
- Straightening the arm at the elbow
- Turning the forearm so the palm is facing up
- Bending the wrist back
- Lifting the fingers up
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will do an exam and feel around your elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. Your doctor may have you put your arm in different positions and push and pull on your wrist and elbow to check motion and strength. Your doctor may also check your reflexes and the feeling in your arms and hands. The doctor may order: ‚
- Lab tests
- Electromyelogram (EMG) ¢ ˆ ’ to look at how well the nerves are working
- Nerve conduction tests
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
- Rest from activities that make your problem worse
- Ice
- Brace or splint to keep pressure off the nerves
- Stretching exercises
- Physical therapy (PT)
- Surgery
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Prevent an infection
The doctor may give you a shot of an anti-inflammatory drug called a corticosteroid. This will help with swelling. Talk with your doctor about the risks of this shot. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Partial or full loss of wrist or hand movement
- Partial or full loss of feeling in the hand
- Mild to very bad deformity of the hand
- Recurrent or unnoticed injury to the hand
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid having to do tasks over and over with your hands and wrists.
- Avoid pressure on your upper arm.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚