Anatomy
Nerves are structures within the body of the deliver messages to and from the brain.
Along the path of the nerve, an electrochemical impulse can travel to deliver this information.
The peripheral nerves of the upper extremity form from branches ofnerves coming off of the spinal cord.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
Branches of the brachial plexus form the major peripheral nerves of the upper extremity.
One of these nerves is called the radial nerve; others include the median nerve and the ulnar nerve.
The other major function of the radial nerve is to deliver messages to specific muscles about when to contract.
People who have abnormal radial nerve function may experience weakness of these muscles and symptoms such as awrist drop.
This symptom is often seen after severe injuries to the radial nerve.
It is typically obvious to determine the location of nerve damage when there is a penetrating injury.
The most common pop in of fracture associated with injury to the radial nerve arefractures of the humerus bone.
Most radial nerve injuries associated with fractures will heal spontaneously and do not require surgical intervention.
Often this triggers when an individual falls asleep with their arm draped over an armrest on a rigid chair.
Padding the top of crutches and using the crutches properly can help to prevent crutch palsy.
This may be as simple as avoiding pressure or padding the area where the nerve irritation is taking place.
Much more commonly, efforts to relieve pressure on the nerve can be performed in a nonsurgical manner.
Abnormal function of the radial nerve can occur as a result of the injuries to the nerve.
Determining the specific location of nerve damage is the first step in guiding appropriate treatment.
As a result, the radial nerve tells these muscles when they should contract.
The upper extremity major peripheral nerves include the radial nerve, median nerve, and the ulnar nerve.
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