[4] Symptoms of radial neuropathy vary depending on the severity of the trauma; however, common symptoms may include wrist drop, numbness on the back of the hand and wrist, and inability to voluntarily straighten the fingers.

[8] Radial neuropathy may be diagnosed using MRI, ultrasound, nerve conduction study or electromyography (EMG).

EMG and nerve conduction studies are typically performed to diagnose the extent and distribution of the damage, and to help with prognosis for recovery.

A compressive neuropraxia of the radial nerve (Saturday night palsy) takes between 2 and 12 weeks to recover.

It is a common misunderstanding to attribute severe motor weakness of the hand lasting only minutes to hours to radial nerve neuropraxia [1] There are a number of terms used to describe radial nerve injuries, which are dependent on the causation factor such as: