Which of the following are the main deficits resulting from a radial nerve injury?

A radial nerve injury primarily affects the muscles responsible for wrist and finger extension. The radial nerve innervates the triceps muscle, which is important for elbow extension, as well as the extensor muscles of the forearm, which allow for wrist and finger extension. When this nerve is damaged, individuals typically experience a significant deficit in their ability to extend the wrist and fingers, leading to a characteristic condition known as "wrist drop."

Inability to position fingers and wrists into extension is a direct consequence of this loss of function, as the patient will struggle to hold their wrist and fingers in a straight position when attempting to use their hand. This affects not only the ability to extend the wrist but also the overall functionality of the hand during activities that require precision and grip.

Conversely, the other options relate to different deficits or conditions that do not specifically arise from a radial nerve injury. For instance, the inability to flex fingers is more associated with injuries to the median or ulnar nerves, while the ulnar claw hand signifies an ulnar nerve injury. Weakness in wrist extension is certainly a symptom, but it does not encapsulate the complete situation where the patient is unable to position their wrist and fingers in an extended position due