Wrist drop, or radial neuropathy, is caused by damage to the radial nerve in the arm, often from sitting in an uncomfortable position for an extended period of time. Symptoms include weakness, numbness, and the inability to extend or raise the hand. Healing time varies, but physical therapy and exercises can help.
Wrist drop, also called radial neuropathy or Saturday night palsy, is caused by damage to the radial nerve in the arm. Its symptoms include weakness and numbness, which can take days or months to heal. Wrist drop is often the result of sitting with the arm in an unusual position for an extended period of time.
The inability to extend the hand or raise it using the wrist are also symptoms of this condition. The hand or wrist may be weak and the fingers may also be affected. Widespread numbness throughout the wrist, hand, and fingers is also not uncommon. Other symptoms include wrist pain, tenderness, and swelling.
Radial neuropathy is the result of an injury to the radial nerve. This nerve is attached to the spinal cord and coils around the arm, controlling the sensation of the skin and muscles in the arm, wrist and hand. The condition occurs when the radial nerve becomes compressed or damaged.
Radial nerve compression most often occurs after sitting in an uncomfortable position, such as having your arm resting on the back of a hard chair for an extended period of time. It occurs most often in people who have been drinking or taking drugs and then fell asleep in this uncomfortable position. Most sober people would wake up from this painful position before the damage occurred. This condition is also known as Saturday night paralysis, as it often occurs after a night of partying.
Generally, the wrist drop will heal itself over time. Depending on the extent of the damage, this can last from several days to several months or more than a year. The healing time depends entirely on whether or not the radial nerve has been damaged and can heal on its own, or if parts of the nerve have been damaged so badly that they have to grow back. Typically, a doctor will have patients wear a splint and participate in physical therapy. In rare cases, surgery may be needed to fix the problem.
There are a number of exercises that are recommended for patients suffering from wrist drop. The wrist can be extended by holding the arm straight away from the body while the opposite hand gently flexes the wrist towards the floor, then towards the ceiling. Finger stretches can also help. With a rubber band wrapped around all five fingers, the fingers can be stretched as far as possible. These exercises can be performed by individuals with mild wrist drop, as no wrist or finger movement is possible in severe cases.
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