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Aetiology

Authoring team

Characteristic presentations of radial nerve palsy include:

  • 'crutch palsy' - due to compression of the nerve above the spiral groove by crutches as the weight is borne in the axilla
  • 'saturday night palsy' - due to compression of the nerve in the upper part of the arm as a result of resting the medial side of the arm against a sharp edge such as the back of a chair for a prolonged period. The person is usually intoxicated. It may also be seen after surgery when the anaesthetised patient is allowed to hang over the edge of the operating theatre table.
  • humeral fracture
  • rarely, dislocation of the elbow

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