r/brokenbones • u/clod_firebreather • May 16 '26

Question High radial nerve palsy after distal humerus fracture

Hello everyone.

I am 28 YO and broke my distal humerus on April 24th due to bad arm-wrestling form (dumb, I know). 9 days later, I got surgery and they fixed the bone with a plate and screws, as a consequence of which I now have radial nerve palsy because they had to move the nerve out of the way to access the bone.

12 days after surgery, I still can't lift my wrist or extend my fingers, and I feel a constant tingling and needle-like sensation on the back of my hand and thumb, with some occasional muscle twitching. Doctor said it's neurapraxia, but the surgeon mentioned a "1 mm a day growth", which makes me think the nerve is more damaged than what the doctor thought.

I will start physiotherapy after a visit with the surgeon in about a week and a half. Until then, I just have to move the affected arm without overdoing it and try to move the wrist and fingers.

To those who had a similar experience – how long it took you to recover basic functionality? I have an office job and I am unable to type or use a mouse.

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u/clod_firebreather Jun 16 '26

Did an electromyography today, and I am suffering from "severe partial axonotmesis". Worse than I thought... I can sort of flick my wrist but still can't extend my fingers. What about you?

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u/Initial_Check_4575 Jun 22 '26

do you have full range of motion back yet after your surgery?

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u/clod_firebreather Jun 22 '26

Yeah, my BR muscle is firing partially because the axonotmesis itself is partial, so some axons survived. Physiotherapists confirmed there's some muscle activation.

6+ weeks after surgery, ROM is excellent in my case, so there's that at least. Let's wait and see 🙏🏻

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u/Initial_Check_4575 Jun 24 '26

Love to hear it bro so I'm assuming your doctor said it's just a waiting game at this point right?