The superficial branch of radial nerve travels down towards the back of the hand underneath the brachoradialis muscle just before the wrist. It supplies sensation to the dorsum of the thumb, and part of the index and middle fingers.
Sometimes, if you tap over the distal forearm and wrist on the thumb side, you can often feel a numbness or tingling down towards the thumb and back of hand. This is the radial nerve. Because it is so close to the skin surface it can become compressed with anything tight around the wrist such as a watch. Compression at this site is called Wartenburg’s syndrome.
Treatment can include removing the cause of compression, oedema management, nerve gliding exercises, splinting to rest the nerve and activity modification. Contact us today to book in an initial consultation.
Article Reference: Hand Therapy Group
