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Neurolysis of the Distal Superficial Radial Nerve for Dysaesthesia Due to Nerve Tethering

From the Division of Hand, Upper Extremity, and Microvascular Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics, Brown University School of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA

Correspondence: Dr Arnold-Peter Weiss, M.D., Brown Medical School Providence, RI USA. Tel.: +1 401 457 1522; fax: 1 401 831 5784. E-mail: apcweiss{at}brown.edu.

The subcutaneous course of the superficial radial nerve over the radial border of the wrist and hand renders it very susceptible to injury. Both traumatic and iatrogenic injury can produce tethering of this nerve, presenting as dysaesthesia. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of neurolysis of the distal superficial radial nerve for this condition. Twenty-five cases of tethered superficial radial nerves underwent neurolysis. At final follow-up (mean 3.5 years), fourteen cases reported symptomatic resolution while eleven continued to experience dysaesthesia. Intra-operatively, evidence of external abnormality, scarring, or compression was identified in only six cases, and its presence did not correlate with symptomatic outcome. Although the majority of patients were improved postoperatively, the success rate was lower than anticipated. Therefore, while neurolysis of the superficial radial nerve offers the opportunity for pain relief, it does not reliably produce success.

Key Words: sensory • neuropraxia • nerve • dysethesias • radial nerve

Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume), Vol. 33, No. 2, 152-154 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1753193407087892


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