What best describes Cheralgia paresthetica?

• A. Pain in the dorsal hand and wrist
• B. Paresthesia of the thumb
• C. Pain in the shoulder
• D. Weakness of forearm muscles

Answer: (A)

Cheralgia paresthetica, also known as handcuff neuropathy, is characterized by pain, tingling, or numbness in the area supplied by the superficial branch of the radial nerve, which affects the dorsal aspect of the hand and wrist. This condition often occurs due to external compression of the nerve, commonly associated with activities that apply pressure to the wrist, such as wearing tight wristbands or handcuffs.

This makes pain in the dorsal hand and wrist the most accurate description of cheralgia paresthetica, as it correlates directly with the clinical presentation of the condition. The other options describe symptoms that are not relevant to this specific neuropathy, which focuses on the sensory involvement in the hand and wrist rather than weakness in the forearm muscles, shoulder pain, or direct paresthesia limited to the thumb.