General Guideline Principles for Radial Nerve
Entrapment for workers compensation patients
The New York State workers compensation board has developed these guidelines to help physicians, podiatrists, and other healthcare professionals provide appropriate treatment for Radial Nerve Entrapment.
These Workers Compensation Board guidelines are intended to assist healthcare professionals in making decisions regarding the appropriate level of care for their patients with ankle and foot disorders.
The guidelines are not a substitute for clinical judgement or professional experience. The ultimate decision regarding care must be made by the patient in consultation with his or her healthcare provider.
Radial Nerve Entrapment of Hand, Wrist and Forearm Injuries
Radial nerve entrapment typically manifests as radial nerve palsies that affect the hand and wrist, most frequently at locations along the arm’s and forearm’s course, close to the wrist. A look for sensory symptoms should be included in the medical history. Other signs and symptoms include pain along the nerve’s course, weakness in the wrist extensors, and wrist drop.
Medical History
Evaluation of motor symptoms, such as wrist extensor weakness and wrist drop, is also beneficial.
Diagnostic Studies of Radial Nerve Entrapment
- Diagnostic Studies of Radial Nerve Entrapment Electrodiagnostic Studies
Diagnostic Studies of Radial Nerve Entrapment Electrodiagnostic Studies is recommended to verify the presence of radial nerve motor neuropathy
are suggested as an impartial test to determine the severity of radial nerve motor neuropathy. But studies must be carried out by qualified electrodiagnosticians, ideally those who have earned certification from the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine.
- Ultrasound (Diagnostic)
Ultrasound (Diagnostic) of Radial Nerve Entrapment is not recommended to confirm a radial nerve neuropathy that has been clinically suspected.
Medications of Hand, Wrist and Forearm Injuries
Ibuprofen, naproxen, or other NSAIDs from an earlier generation are suggested as first-line treatments for the majority of patients.
For patients who are not candidates for NSAIDs, acetaminophen (or the analogue paracetamol) may be a viable alternative, even though the majority of research indicates it is only marginally less effective than NSAIDs. There is proof that NSAIDs are less dangerous and just as effective at treating pain as opioids, such as tramadol.
- Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) for Treatment of Acute, Subacute, or Chronic Radial Nerve Compression Neuropathy
Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) for Treatment of Acute, Subacute, or Chronic Radial Nerve Compression Neuropathy are recommended for the treatment of wrist radial nerve compression that is acute, subacute, or long-term.
Indications – NSAIDs are advised as a treatment for acute, subacute, or chronic radial nerve compression neuropathy. First, try over-the-counter (OTC) medications to see if they work.
Frequency/Duration: Many patients might find it reasonable to use as needed.
Indications for Discontinuation: the symptom’s resolution, the medication’s ineffectiveness, or the emergence of side effects that require stopping.
- NSAIDs for Patients at High Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding
NSAIDs for Patients at High Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding is recommended for patients at high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding to take misoprostol, sucralfate, histamine Type 2 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors concurrently.
Indications:Cytoprotective drugs should be taken into consideration for patients with a high-risk factor profile who also have indications for NSAIDs, especially if a longer course of treatment is planned. Patients who have a history of gastrointestinal bleeding in the past, the elderly, diabetics, and smokers are at risk.
Frequency/Dose/Duration: H2 blockers, misoprostol, sucralfate, and proton pump inhibitors are advised. dosage recommendations from the manufacturer. It is generally accepted that there are no significant differences in effectiveness for preventing gastrointestinal bleeding.
Indications for Discontinuation: Intolerance, the emergence of negative effects, or the stopping of NSAIDs.
- NSAIDs for Patients at Risk for Cardiovascular Adverse Effects
The advantages and disadvantages of NSAID therapy for pain should be discussed with patients who have a history of cardiovascular disease or who have multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
- NSAIDs for Patients at Risk for Cardiovascular Adverse Effects
NSAIDs for Patients at Risk for Cardiovascular Adverse Effects are recommended as far as adverse cardiovascular effects go, acetaminophen or aspirin as first-line therapy seem to be the safest options.
- NSAIDs for Patients at Risk for Cardiovascular Adverse Effects
NSAIDs for Patients at Risk for Cardiovascular Adverse Effects is recommended If necessary, non-selective NSAIDs are preferred to COX-2-specific medications. To reduce the chance that an NSAID will negate the protective effects of low-dose aspirin in patients receiving it for primary or secondary cardiovascular disease prevention, the NSAID should be taken at least 30 minutes after or eight hours before the daily aspirin.
- Acetaminophen for Treatment of Radial Nerve Compression Neuropathy Pain
Acetaminophen for Treatment of Radial Nerve Compression Neuropathy Pain are recommended to treat the pain associated with radial nerve compression neuropathy, especially in patients who are contraindicated for NSAIDs.
Indications: Patients with acute, subacute, chronic, and post-operative radial nerve compression neuropathy pain.
Dose/Frequency:As per the manufacturer’s recommendations; can be used as required. Over four gm/day, there is evidence of hepatic toxicity.
Indications for Discontinuation: pain, side effects, or intolerance are gone.
- Opioids of Radial Nerve Entrapment
Opioids of Radial Nerve Entrapment
Opioids of Radial Nerve Entrapment are not recommended for radial nerve entrapment pain that is either chronic or subacute..
Opioids of Radial Nerve Entrapment is recommended for brief (no longer than seven days) use as an adjunctive therapy to more potent treatments for postoperative pain management.
Indications: A brief prescription of opioids is frequently needed for post-operative pain management, especially at night, as an adjunct to more effective treatments (especially NSAIDs, acetaminophen).
Frequency/Duration: Prescribed as needed throughout the day, later only at night, and finally completely discontinued.
Rationale for Recommendation: When NSAIDs are ineffective in relieving a patient’s pain, opioids should be used sparingly, especially at night. Opioids are advised for brief, selective use in postoperative patients, with nighttime use being the main recommendation for achieving postoperative sleep.
Treatments of Radial Nerve Entrapment
Wrist Extension or Thumb Spica Splint
Wrist Extension or Thumb Spica Splint are recommended for the treatment of radial nerve compression neuropathy, whether it be acute, subacute, or chronic.
Rehabilitation Rehab (supervised formal therapy) needed after a work-related injury should be concentrated on regaining the functional ability needed to meet the patient’s daily and work obligations and enable them to return to work, with the goal of returning the injured worker to their pre-injury status to the extent that is practical.
Active therapy calls for the patient to put forth an internal effort to finish a particular exercise or task. The interventions known as passive therapy rely on modalities that are administered by a therapist rather than the patient exerting any effort on their part.
Passive interventions are typically seen as a way to speed up an active therapy programme and achieve concurrently objective functional gains. Over passive interventions, active interventions should be prioritised.
To maintain improvement levels, the patient should be advised to continue both active and passive therapies at home as an extension of the therapeutic process.
To facilitate functional gains, assistive devices may be used as an adjunctive measure in the rehabilitation plan.
Therapy – Active of Radial Nerve Entrapment
- Therapeutic Exercise – Acute
Therapeutic Exercise – Acute is recommended keeping the paralysed joints flexible in some patients while they wait for a spontaneous return of nerve function
- Therapeutic Exercise – Post -Operative
Therapeutic Exercise – Post -Operative are recommended keeping the paralysed joints flexible after surgery for patients while they wait for the return of nerve function.
Frequency/Dose/Duration – With documentation of ongoing objective functional improvement, the total number of visits may be as low as two to three for patients with mild functional deficits or as high as 12 to 15 for those with more severe deficits.
If there is evidence of functional improvement toward specific objective functional goals, more than 12 to 15 visits may be necessary when there are persistent functional deficits (e.g., increased grip strength, key pinch strength, range of motion, advancing ability to perform work activities).
A home exercise programme should be created as part of the rehabilitation strategy and carried out alongside the therapy.
Therapy – Passive of Radial Nerve Entrapment
- Ice – Self-application
Ice – Self-application is recommended for the treatment of radial nerve entrapment that is either acute, subacute, or chronic.
- Heat – Self-application
Heat – Self-application is recommended for the treatment of radial nerve entrapment that is either acute, subacute, or chronic.
- Mobilisation / Immobilization
Mobilisation / Immobilization is not recommended for the treatment of radial nerve entrapment that is either acute, subacute, or chronic.
- Iontophoresis
Iontophoresis is not recommended for the treatment of radial nerve entrapment that is acute, subacute, or chronic.
- Acupuncture
Acupuncture is not recommended for the treatment of radial nerve entrapment that is acute, subacute, or chronic.
- Massage
Massage are not recommended in order to treat acute, subacute, or persistent radial nerve entrapment.
Surgery of Radial Nerve Entrapment
Surgical Release
Surgical Release is recommended for cases of radial nerve compression neuropathy that are subacute or chronic and don’t respond to other treatments.
Reason for Recommendation It is advised for some patients who have tried other non-operative treatments but failed, or if there are any lesions that take up a lot of space.
What our office can do if you have workers compensation injuries
We have the experience to help you with their workers compensation injuries. We understand what you are going through and will meet your medical needs and follow the guidelines set by the New York State Workers Compensation Board.
We understand the importance of your workers compensation cases. Let us help you navigate through the maze of dealing with the workers compensation insurance company and your employer.
We understand that this is a stressful time for you and your family. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us so we will do everything we can to make it as easy on you as possible.
I am fellowship trained in joint replacement surgery, metabolic bone disorders, sports medicine and trauma. I specialize in total hip and knee replacements, and I have personally written most of the content on this page.
You can see my full CV at my profile page.
