From the Research
Radial nerve numbness is primarily experienced in the back of the hand, specifically in the web space between the thumb and index finger, extending to the back of the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger, as well as the back of the forearm, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study available 1.
Key Points to Consider
- The radial nerve provides sensory innervation to the back of the hand and forearm, which is why numbness is experienced in these areas when the nerve is compressed or damaged.
- Common sites of compression or damage include the spiral groove of the humerus or at the elbow, and can occur due to various factors such as sleep position, improper use of crutches, or fractures of the humerus.
- Patients may also experience weakness in wrist and finger extension, leading to the characteristic "wrist drop" when the nerve is significantly affected.
- Medical evaluation is crucial to determine the cause and appropriate treatment, which may include removing the source of compression, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or surgical intervention.
Relevant Evidence
- A review of common hand conditions published in JAMA in 2022 1 provides an overview of various hand conditions, including those related to nerve compression, although it does not specifically focus on radial nerve numbness.
- Other studies, such as those published in 1995 2, 2015 3, 2009 4, and 1991 5, provide additional information on nerve compression and radial nerve injuries, but are not as recent or directly relevant to the question of where numbness associated with radial nerve damage is experienced.