FEATURED BOOKS ON PARALYSIS FROM BARNES & NOBLE.COM:

Wristdrop
A type of paralysis in which the wrist and/or fingers cannot be extended or lifted. Paralysis is loss of movement and/or sensation. Wristdrop is caused by damage to the radial nerve. The radial nerve is a long nerve that normally supplies impulses to the skin of the arm and forearm, as well as muscles that help extend the arm and forearm. If the radially nerve is compressed, it cannot transmit sensory-motor impulses. The damage to the radial nerve is usually somewhere in the armpit or upper arm. Putting the wrist in a splint to keep it straight may help restore functioning of the radial nerve.

Wristdrop is also known as Saturday night palsy because it often happens to intoxicated people who fall asleep in a chair after partying. Normally, people move around in their sleep which prevents constant compression of the radial nerve. People who are drunk do not move as much in their sleep and the radial nerve can be constantly compressed, such as by hanging the arm over a chair.

Back to main page Contact MedFriendly.com Use of MedFriendly is subject to reading this disclaimer & the terms and conditions.