Radial Nerve Lesion

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(Saturday night palsy)

Causes

  • Mid-shaft fracture of humerus
    • damages radial nerve in spiral groove
    • branches to triceps already given off

Examination

  • sensation
    • "anatomical snuffbox" - dorsum of first web space hand 
  • weakness
    • extensors wrist / fingers
    • supinator
      • but supination preserved because biceps functional (musculocutaneous nerve)
    • extensor carpi radialis
      •  → wrist drop
    • abductor pollicis longus
      • but thumb abduction preserved by abductor pollicis brevis (median nerve)
  • reflexes
    • loss of brachioradialis
    • triceps preserved
 

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