Radial nerve excursion and strain at the elbow and wrist associated with upper-extremity motion.

Purpose: This study evaluated the excursion necessary to accommodate common motions of daily living and associated strain on the radial nerve. The radial nerve was evaluated at the wrist and proximal to the elbow before it bifurcated.

Methods: Five fresh-frozen transthoracic cadaver specimens (10 arms) were dissected; the radial nerve was exposed at the elbow and wrist only enough to be marked with a microsuture.