Injury of superficial radial nerve on the wrist joint induced by intravenous injection.

Eleven cases of injury of the superficial radial nerve on the wrist joint, caused by intravenous injection of a needle. Paralysis occurred immediately after injection of a needle into the cephalic vein of the wrist joint, which was immediately recognized by the patients themselves. Six patients who had only sensory disturbance without causalgia were subjected to follow-up observation; 5 patients with causalgia were administered with steroid infiltration injection 3 to 5 times. Of the latter 5 patients, one patient underwent surgery because the steroid infiltration injection showed no effects. Four patients (36.4%) completely recovered within three months, while 7 patients (63.6%) continued to show nervous symptoms. We concluded that intravenous injection of a needle should be performed at the wrist joint only when it is inevitable.