Superficial radial neuropathy: an unobserved etiology of chronic dorsoradial wrist pain

Abstract

Abstract Background Superficial radial neuropathy is considered an uncommon cause of chronic dorsoradial wrist pain. Its clinical diagnosis is usually missed. The purpose of the research was to investigate the existence of superficial radial neuropathy as a cause of chronic dorsoradial wrist pain. The study included 98 upper limbs obtained from 72 patients [58 women (80.6%)] with a primary complaint of chronic dorsoradial wrist pain and 91 asymptomatic upper limbs obtained from 63 apparently healthy individuals [46 women (73.0%)] as a control group. Clinical assessment and superficial radial nerve conduction study were done. Results No significant differences between patients and control group were present regarding sex and age. Among the participated patients, there were 29 upper limbs (29.6%) from 26 patients (36.1%) who had superficial radial neuropathy proved clinically and electrophysiologically. From them, three patients (11.5%) had bilateral superficial radial neuropathy. It was the solitary cause of chronic dorsoradial wrist pain in 15 upper limbs (51.7%) from 13 patients (50%). The remaining patients were associated with other musculoskeletal wrist conditions. The most common associated local wrist pathology was three and half fingers till the level of the distalin 8 upper limbs (27.6%) from 8 patients (30.8%). Conclusions Superficial radial neuropathy is common among patients with chronic dorsoradial wrist pain and should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Keywords

• Cheiralgia paresthetica
• Chronic dorsoradial wrist pain
• Superficial radial nerve
• Superficial radial neuropathy