How to Diagnose Radial Neuropathy

Radial neuropathy is a type of nerve damage or dysfunction that affects the radial nerve that runs down your arm. Radial neuropathy can develop from compression of the nerve, through either temporary measures (such as sleeping "wrong" on your arm) or more permanent damage from an injury or accident. Radial neuropathy is sometimes referred to as "Saturday night palsy," according to the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. The condition can be diagnosed through physical examination and a battery of diagnostic tests.

Things You'll Need

• EMG test
• Nerve conduction test
• MRI

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Recognize the signs of radial neuropathy and discuss them with your doctor. The National Institutes of Health states that people who are affected by this condition might have a droopy wrist because the nerve damage makes it difficult to hold up the forearm. You might feel numbness in your arm or experience tingling, burning or other types of pain.

• 2

  Allow your doctor to manipulate your arm and hand to determine if radial neuropathy is a possible diagnosis. You might be asked to move your arm and hand in various positions, some of which could be hard to do. Your doctor might feel muscle atrophy or weakness in the forearm areas that are affected by the nerve dysfunction.

• 3

  Submit to a variety of tests that measure your nerve impulses and function. An EMG, or electromyography test, determines the health of the muscles that are controlled by your radial nerve. A nerve conduction test looks at the speed and accuracy with which impulses run through your radial nerve. The results of these tests will help your doctor diagnose your condition.

• 4

  Rule out underlying medical conditions such as a stroke. An MRI of your brain determines whether other factors are contributing to your impaired radial nerve function.