Saturday Night Palsy (Saturday night palsy) describes a condition where the radial nerve in the arm is compressed due to direct external force.
“A 35-year-old male patient, after waking up following a night of heavy drinking, discovered he had numbness in his right arm, loss of sensation in the back of his arm and the back of his right hand, weakness in arm extension, and a wrist and hand that hung limply. He also lost the ability to extend his fingers and abduct his thumb. Upon arriving at the hospital, an examination confirmed that he was suffering from radial nerve palsy, characterized by a ‘wrist drop’ appearance. He was prescribed high doses of B vitamins, acupuncture, and rehabilitation therapy. After three weeks, his right arm showed improvement and he could regain function.” – A specialist in Cardiology and Neurology recounts the treatment for this patient and provides further information about radial nerve palsy.
What is Saturday Night Palsy?
The radial nerve is the largest terminal branch of the brachial plexus, controlling movement for the extensor and supinator muscles in the arm and forearm, as well as sensation in the back of the arm and the outer half of the hand.
This condition causes the radial nerve to be compressed and stretched for an extended period. (Illustrative image).
Saturday Night Palsy refers to paralysis of the deep branch of the radial nerve, which often occurs after a night of heavy drinking. In this scenario, the intoxicated individual falls asleep without controlling their sleeping position—such as resting their arm over a chair, placing their arm under their head for an entire night, or allowing someone else to rest their head on their arm without repositioning. This situation leads to prolonged compression and stretching of the radial nerve, resulting in nerve damage that manifests as the condition known as ‘wrist drop.’
Additionally, this condition may also occur from improper crutch use, lead poisoning, or compression due to bone fractures.
Is this condition dangerous? How is it treated?
Radial nerve damage in this case depends on the severity and duration of the compression; the prognosis is generally good if treated early and promptly.
In mild cases, where there is only slight weakness and numbness, recovery can happen within 2-4 weeks. More severe cases, which may lead to muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, and motor paralysis, require long-term treatment and a combination of methods such as: physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, movement exercises, and medications that enhance nerve conduction like vitamin B complex and Nivalin.
Prevention Measures
- After a drinking session, choose a comfortable sleeping position, avoid resting your head on your arm while sleeping, and do not place pressure on your arm.
- Avoid allowing someone else to rest their head on your arm throughout the night without changing positions.
- If you notice any signs of numbness and weakness in the arm and forearm muscles, seek hospital admission early for timely examination and treatment by specialists to avoid long-term complications.
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