Radial Sensory Nerve Entrapment

Fifty-one patients with entrapment of the radial sensory nerve were examined. The entrapment was usually due to a crush or twisting injury to the wrist or forearm or to repetitive pronation/supination movements at work. Presenting symptoms were usually pain or burning over the dorsoradial aspect of the wrist, aggravated by pinching or gripping activities. Results of physical examination demonstrated a positive Tinel's sign over the radial sensory nerve as it exits the deep fascia, a false-positive Finkelstein test, and a positive hyperpronation provocative test. The results of nonoperative and surgical management are presented.