Differential Diagnosis for Inability to Dorsiflex Wrist
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Radial Nerve Palsy: This condition is the most likely cause because the radial nerve controls the muscles responsible for wrist dorsiflexion (extensor muscles of the wrist). Damage to this nerve can result from trauma, compression, or other injuries.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Wrist Fracture or Dislocation: Trauma to the wrist can cause fractures or dislocations that limit the range of motion, including dorsiflexion.
- Tendinitis or Tenosynovitis of Extensor Tendons: Inflammation of the tendons or their sheaths on the back of the wrist can cause pain and weakness, leading to difficulty in dorsiflexing the wrist.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: This chronic autoimmune disorder can cause inflammation and damage to the joints, including those in the wrist, potentially limiting movement.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Compartment Syndrome: A serious condition where increased pressure within a muscle compartment can lead to nerve and muscle damage. If not promptly treated, it can result in permanent damage, including the inability to dorsiflex the wrist.
- Cauda Equina Syndrome: Although less common, this condition involves nerve roots in the lower spine and can cause a variety of symptoms, including weakness or paralysis in the legs and, less commonly, upper limb symptoms if there's a significant impact on nerve function.
Rare Diagnoses
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): A progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control. Early symptoms can include weakness in specific muscle groups.
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome: An autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks part of its peripheral nervous system, which can lead to muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.
- Lead Poisoning: Chronic lead exposure can cause a range of neurological symptoms, including peripheral neuropathy, which might affect the nerves controlling wrist movement.