Peripheral nerve injuries mnemonic

Hand deformity by nerve injured

The mnemonic

Radial drops, Ulnar claws, Median points

What each word stands for

  • Radial dropsRadial nerve injury gives wrist drop
  • Ulnar clawsUlnar nerve injury gives claw hand
  • Median pointsHigh median injury gives pointing (benediction) index finger

Why it matters clinically

Quick bedside localisation of upper limb nerve palsies.

Where it stops being reliable

Ignores sensory loss and the level of injury, which changes the picture (for example, high versus low ulnar lesions).

Teaching aid, still awaiting independent review. Confirm facts in a standard source.

More mnemonics

Common questions

What is the Peripheral nerve injuries mnemonic?

Radial drops, Ulnar claws, Median points. It helps you recall: Hand deformity by nerve injured.

What does "Radial drops" stand for?

Radial nerve injury gives wrist drop

What does "Ulnar claws" stand for?

Ulnar nerve injury gives claw hand

What does "Median points" stand for?

High median injury gives pointing (benediction) index finger

What are all the parts of the Radial drops, Ulnar claws, Median points mnemonic?

Radial drops: Radial nerve injury gives wrist drop; Ulnar claws: Ulnar nerve injury gives claw hand; Median points: High median injury gives pointing (benediction) index finger.

Which topic does this mnemonic belong to?

It belongs to Peripheral nerve injuries in Orthopaedics.

Where does this mnemonic stop being reliable?

Ignores sensory loss and the level of injury, which changes the picture (for example, high versus low ulnar lesions).

How is this useful clinically?

Quick bedside localisation of upper limb nerve palsies.

How do I make this mnemonic stick?

Say it aloud, write it from memory tomorrow, then again in a week. Then test yourself on a Orthopaedics question about Peripheral nerve injuries.

Is this a standard mnemonic?

It is a teaching aid written or adapted by our team. Some resemble ones students share informally. Check any fact that matters in a standard source.