Cheiralgia paresthetica: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Cheiralgia paresthetica
| image          = [[File:Gray818.png|left|thumb|Illustration of the [[radial nerve]]]]
| caption        = The [[radial nerve]] is involved in cheiralgia paresthetica.
| synonyms        = Wartenberg's syndrome
| pronunciation  =
| specialty      = [[Neurology]]
| symptoms        = [[Numbness]], [[tingling]], and [[pain]] in the [[hand]]
| onset          =
| duration        =
| causes          = Compression of the [[superficial branch of the radial nerve]]
| risks          =
| diagnosis      = [[Clinical diagnosis]]
| differential    = [[Carpal tunnel syndrome]], [[De Quervain's tenosynovitis]]
| treatment      = [[Rest]], [[splinting]], [[nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs]]
| medication      =
| prognosis      = Generally good with treatment
| frequency      =
}}
{{Short description|A condition involving sensory disturbance in the hand}}
{{Short description|A condition involving sensory disturbance in the hand}}
== Cheiralgia Paresthetica ==
== Cheiralgia Paresthetica ==
 
[[File:Gray818.png|left|thumb|Diagram of the superficial branch of the radial nerve]]
[[File:Gray818.png|thumb|right|Diagram of the superficial branch of the radial nerve]]
 
'''Cheiralgia paresthetica''', also known as '''Wartenberg's syndrome''', is a neurological condition characterized by sensory disturbances in the hand, specifically affecting the distribution of the [[superficial branch of the radial nerve]]. This condition is often caused by compression or irritation of the nerve, leading to symptoms such as pain, tingling, and numbness on the dorsal aspect of the hand.
'''Cheiralgia paresthetica''', also known as '''Wartenberg's syndrome''', is a neurological condition characterized by sensory disturbances in the hand, specifically affecting the distribution of the [[superficial branch of the radial nerve]]. This condition is often caused by compression or irritation of the nerve, leading to symptoms such as pain, tingling, and numbness on the dorsal aspect of the hand.
== Anatomy ==
== Anatomy ==
The [[radial nerve]] is one of the major nerves of the upper limb, originating from the [[brachial plexus]]. It travels down the arm and divides into a deep branch, which is primarily motor, and a superficial branch, which is sensory. The superficial branch of the radial nerve provides sensation to the dorsal surface of the hand, including the thumb, index finger, and middle finger.
The [[radial nerve]] is one of the major nerves of the upper limb, originating from the [[brachial plexus]]. It travels down the arm and divides into a deep branch, which is primarily motor, and a superficial branch, which is sensory. The superficial branch of the radial nerve provides sensation to the dorsal surface of the hand, including the thumb, index finger, and middle finger.
== Causes ==
== Causes ==
Cheiralgia paresthetica is typically caused by external compression of the superficial branch of the radial nerve. Common causes include:
Cheiralgia paresthetica is typically caused by external compression of the superficial branch of the radial nerve. Common causes include:
* Wearing tight wristbands or watches
* Wearing tight wristbands or watches
* Repetitive wrist movements
* Repetitive wrist movements
* Direct trauma to the wrist area
* Direct trauma to the wrist area
== Symptoms ==
== Symptoms ==
The primary symptoms of cheiralgia paresthetica include:
The primary symptoms of cheiralgia paresthetica include:
* Pain on the dorsal side of the hand
* Pain on the dorsal side of the hand
* Tingling or "pins and needles" sensation
* Tingling or "pins and needles" sensation
* Numbness in the area supplied by the superficial branch of the radial nerve
* Numbness in the area supplied by the superficial branch of the radial nerve
These symptoms are usually exacerbated by wrist movements or pressure on the wrist.
These symptoms are usually exacerbated by wrist movements or pressure on the wrist.
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Diagnosis of cheiralgia paresthetica is primarily clinical, based on the patient's history and physical examination. [[Electromyography]] (EMG) and [[nerve conduction studies]] may be used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions such as [[carpal tunnel syndrome]].
Diagnosis of cheiralgia paresthetica is primarily clinical, based on the patient's history and physical examination. [[Electromyography]] (EMG) and [[nerve conduction studies]] may be used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions such as [[carpal tunnel syndrome]].
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment for cheiralgia paresthetica focuses on relieving the compression of the nerve. Common approaches include:
Treatment for cheiralgia paresthetica focuses on relieving the compression of the nerve. Common approaches include:
* Avoiding activities or objects that cause compression
* Avoiding activities or objects that cause compression
* Using wrist splints to immobilize the wrist
* Using wrist splints to immobilize the wrist
* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief
* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief
In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to decompress the nerve.
In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to decompress the nerve.
== Prognosis ==
== Prognosis ==
The prognosis for cheiralgia paresthetica is generally good, especially if the condition is diagnosed early and the source of compression is removed. Most patients experience significant improvement in symptoms with conservative treatment.
The prognosis for cheiralgia paresthetica is generally good, especially if the condition is diagnosed early and the source of compression is removed. Most patients experience significant improvement in symptoms with conservative treatment.
 
== See also ==
== Related pages ==
 
* [[Radial nerve]]
* [[Radial nerve]]
* [[Peripheral neuropathy]]
* [[Peripheral neuropathy]]
* [[Carpal tunnel syndrome]]
* [[Carpal tunnel syndrome]]
[[Category:Neurological disorders]]
[[Category:Neurological disorders]]
[[Category:Peripheral nervous system disorders]]
[[Category:Peripheral nervous system disorders]]

Latest revision as of 21:10, 4 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Cheiralgia paresthetica
Illustration of the radial nerve
Synonyms Wartenberg's syndrome
Pronounce N/A
Specialty Neurology
Symptoms Numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand
Complications N/A
Onset
Duration
Types N/A
Causes Compression of the superficial branch of the radial nerve
Risks
Diagnosis Clinical diagnosis
Differential diagnosis Carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain's tenosynovitis
Prevention N/A
Treatment Rest, splinting, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Medication
Prognosis Generally good with treatment
Frequency
Deaths N/A


A condition involving sensory disturbance in the hand


Cheiralgia Paresthetica[edit]

Diagram of the superficial branch of the radial nerve

Cheiralgia paresthetica, also known as Wartenberg's syndrome, is a neurological condition characterized by sensory disturbances in the hand, specifically affecting the distribution of the superficial branch of the radial nerve. This condition is often caused by compression or irritation of the nerve, leading to symptoms such as pain, tingling, and numbness on the dorsal aspect of the hand.

Anatomy[edit]

The radial nerve is one of the major nerves of the upper limb, originating from the brachial plexus. It travels down the arm and divides into a deep branch, which is primarily motor, and a superficial branch, which is sensory. The superficial branch of the radial nerve provides sensation to the dorsal surface of the hand, including the thumb, index finger, and middle finger.

Causes[edit]

Cheiralgia paresthetica is typically caused by external compression of the superficial branch of the radial nerve. Common causes include:

  • Wearing tight wristbands or watches
  • Repetitive wrist movements
  • Direct trauma to the wrist area

Symptoms[edit]

The primary symptoms of cheiralgia paresthetica include:

  • Pain on the dorsal side of the hand
  • Tingling or "pins and needles" sensation
  • Numbness in the area supplied by the superficial branch of the radial nerve

These symptoms are usually exacerbated by wrist movements or pressure on the wrist.

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of cheiralgia paresthetica is primarily clinical, based on the patient's history and physical examination. Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies may be used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for cheiralgia paresthetica focuses on relieving the compression of the nerve. Common approaches include:

  • Avoiding activities or objects that cause compression
  • Using wrist splints to immobilize the wrist
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief

In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to decompress the nerve.

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis for cheiralgia paresthetica is generally good, especially if the condition is diagnosed early and the source of compression is removed. Most patients experience significant improvement in symptoms with conservative treatment.

See also[edit]