title: Sensory deficits after a radial nerve injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of our study was to objectively test sensibility on the dorsal side of the hand in patients with radial nerve injury, to document deficits and to detect if surgery for sensory reconstruction is needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen patients of mean age 31 ± 10 years were examined at a mean of 26.4 ± 27.8 months post radial nerve injury. Sensory mechanical thresholds on the dorsal surface of the hand were evaluated using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. Sensation was considered significantly impaired when there was no perception of a 2.0 gr. Semmes-Weinstein filament. Nociception was evaluated using Adson forceps.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five patients had normal 2.0 monofilament perception. Two of these five also had normal perception of the lighter 0.05 monofilament. In nine patients, zones of impaired sensibility were restricted to the first web space. In combined radial and musculocutaneous nerve lesions, the zone of impaired sensibility extended to the dorsum of the third metacarpus and occasionally to the dorsal aspect of the thumb. This zone averaged being five times the size as in isolated radial nerve injuries. On average, the zone of decreased 0.05 monofilament perception was six times the size detected for the 2.0 monofilament. No patient had complete anesthesia over the dorsum of the hand. No patient complained about pain or numbness. Only one patient among four with a combined radial and musculocutaneous nerve injury required sensory reconstruction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minimal sensory abnormalities should be expected after a radial nerve injury. Patients likely neither warrant nor request sensory reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery, University of the South of Santa Catarina (Unisul), Tubarão, Brazil.|Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Governador Celso Ramos Hospital, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jayme Augusto
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9890-5080
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bertelli
authors.affiliation: U.O. Chirurgia della Mano, Ospedale S.Giuseppe, Multimedica I.R.C.C.S, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cavalli
authors.affiliation: Vera Lehm Hand Clinics, Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vera Lúcia
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Mendes Lehn
authors.affiliation: Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery, University of the South of Santa Catarina (Unisul), Tubarão, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos Flávio
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Ghizoni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000293:injuries*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult