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Órgano Oficial de Difusión Científica de la Federación Mexicana de Colegios de Ortopedia y Traumatología, A.C. (FEMECOT)

2023, Number 2

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Ortho-tips 2023; 19 (2)

Radial nerve sensory branch compression in the forearm: Wartenberg's syndrome. Current revision

García SJH, Sánchez GLE

Language: Spanish
References: 33
Page: 88-95
PDF size: 236.02 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Introduction: the radial nerve sensory branch is susceptible to compression in the forearm due to its subcutaneous location, and this alteration is associated with various metabolic conditions. Classically, symptoms include pain, paresthesias, and hypoesthesias in the sensory territory of the radial nerve in the hand, and in the course of the nerve in the forearm. Conservative management is usually insufficient in most cases, requiring surgical decompression. The objective of this review is to gather knowledge about this neuropathy and propose a treatment algorithm. Material and methods: a review of the published literature on compression of the sensory branch of the radial nerve was carried out in the PubMed database, using the keywords "radial sensory nerve AND compression" and "Wartenberg syndrome", collecting the publications for further analysis. Results: the first step in therapeutic algorithm is through conservative management, including various modalities. The role of gabapentinoid medications is not entirely clear, but they have been shown to decrease pain and paresthesia associated with nerve compression. There are several described approaches, the anterior and transradial are the most used, however, exploration of this nerve along its course in the forearm may be necessary. Conclusions: isolated compression of the radial nerve sensory branch is infrequent, however the physician must have knowledge to identify it as a cause of pain in the forearm and hand. The surgeon must know the anatomy and its relationships with other structures, mainly in the distal forearm. There is no consensus in the literature on the optimal duration of conservative management and the precise timing of surgical intervention.


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