During upper-extremity wound assessment, which nerve is evaluated when the patient dorsiflexes the wrist?

During upper-extremity wound assessment, which nerve is evaluated when the patient dorsiflexes the wrist?

• A. Median
• B. Ulnar
• C. Radial
• D. Axillary

Answer: (C)

Wrist dorsiflexion is produced by the wrist extensor muscles in the posterior forearm, which are innervated primarily by the radial nerve. Testing dorsiflexion during a wound assessment directly evaluates the function of the radial nerve, since a normal dorsiflexion hinges on intact radial nerve supply to the extensor muscles (such as the extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, extensor carpi ulnaris, and extensor digitorum). If dorsiflexion is weak or absent, it suggests radial nerve injury or compression along its course. The other nerves don’t primarily drive wrist extension: the median nerve mainly handles many flexor and thenar functions; the ulnar nerve handles intrinsic hand muscles and some intrinsic finger movements; the axillary nerve powers shoulder abduction via the deltoid.

Wrist dorsiflexion is produced by the wrist extensor muscles in the posterior forearm, which are innervated primarily by the radial nerve. Testing dorsiflexion during a wound assessment directly evaluates the function of the radial nerve, since a normal dorsiflexion hinges on intact radial nerve supply to the extensor muscles (such as the extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, extensor carpi ulnaris, and extensor digitorum). If dorsiflexion is weak or absent, it suggests radial nerve injury or compression along its course.

The other nerves don’t primarily drive wrist extension: the median nerve mainly handles many flexor and thenar functions; the ulnar nerve handles intrinsic hand muscles and some intrinsic finger movements; the axillary nerve powers shoulder abduction via the deltoid.