Saturday night palsy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saturday night palsy, is a colloquial term for radial neuropathy, a type of mononeuropathy. The condition results from acute trauma to the radial nerve that runs the length of the arm. Symptoms vary depending on the severity and location of the trauma; however, common symptoms include wrist drop (the inability to flex the wrist upward when the hand is palm down); numbness of the back of the hand and wrist; and inability to voluntarily straighten the fingers.
There are many ways to acquire radial neuropathy. The term Saturday Night Palsy refers to nerve damage that can occur if a drunk person falls asleep with the back of their arms compressed by a bar edge, bench back, or like object. Radial neuropathy is also called honeymooners palsy, since it can be acquired by sitting with an arm draped over the back of a neighboring chair (or movie-theater seat) for a long time. Both Saturday night palsy and honeymooners palsy refer to the fact that the nerve damage is generally forewarned by arm pain to a degree that only excessive love or liquor would drive a person to keep their arm in such an uncomfortable position. Breaking the humerus and deep puncture wounds can also cause the condition.
Radial neuropathy is not necessarily permanent. However, since nerves regenerate slowly, the effects of the trauma can last for months or years.
Transient Paresthesia is yet another term for the condition.
