Conduction of the dorsal digital branches of the radial nerve to the long finger.

Abstract

Orthodromic conduction of the radial nerve digital branches to the third digit from the anatomic snuffbox has rarely been described. This paper describes a technique for measuring conduction of the lateral and medial digital branches of the radial nerve to the third digit at a distance of 10cm from the base of the digit to the anatomic snuffbox. An evoked response from the lateral digital branch was recorded in each of the 56 nerves tested. Responses had an average latency of 2.10 +/- .18msec. Responses from the medial digital branches of the nerve were obtained in only 55% of the 49 nerves tested. Responses had an average latency of 2.11 +/- .21msec. When no appreciable response was recorded at the anatomic snuffbox from the medial digital branch, a response was recorded from the ulnar nerve at the volar wrist at 14cm.