A case report of thumb weakness misdiagnosed as radial neuroma and resulting in upper limb dysfunction after surgery

A 37-year-old female patient was misdiagnosed with radial neuroma due to thumb weakness. After surgery, the weakness of her upper limbs worsened over 4 months. The most obvious symptoms upon admission were drooping wrists and inability to straighten the five fingers. Electromyography showed left radial nerve injury. She was preliminarily diagnosed with radial neuritis. The patient was treated with ultrasound-assisted electroacupuncture for 6 months, and the muscle strength of the upper limbs increased significantly. This case suggests that ultrasound-guided localization and electroacupuncture therapy are the key methods in treating radial neuritis.