Cheiralgia paresthetica — entrapment of the superficial branch of the radial nerve: a report of 15 cases

Attention is drawn to the relatively rare and poorly appreciated clinical featues of entrapment of the superficial sensory branch of the radial nerve (SBR) in the forearm. In a series of 15 patients with cheiralgia paresthetica, alleviation of pain and discomfort was achieved in 66.6% of the conservatively-treated patients and in 80% of the five non-responsive patients who required neurolysis of the nerve. Job-related symptoms were exhibited by 33.3% of the patients, which subsided upon job modification or less hand-intensive work and conservative treatment. We suggest that modalities of treatment should be appropriate for the pathophysioloy of the SBR injury, while early recognition of the syndrome reduces the necessity for surgery.