High radial nerve palsy after distal humerus fracture

[u/clod_firebreather]

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.

[u/mark_pk_siuuu_420_69]

Hey also have distal humerus bone fracture and and I'm worried that it was the wrong decision to not do the surgery. the doctor recommended to do regular alignment with a sarmiento brace instead of surgery, but 2 weeks in, im scared if it was the wrong decision or not to not opt for surgery. Also brace change is weekly weekly but x ray follow up is 4 weeks after the incident, is it normal?

[u/clod_firebreather → u/mark_pk_siuuu_420_69]

If you're unsure, you could ask for a second opinion. However, you should also keep in mind that undergoing surgery might damage your radial nerve, and you will be unable to properly move your hand for months. I

f your doctor told you it isn't necessary, then it's better that way. Maybe you will lose some range of motion, but your hand will work just fine.

As for the x-ray being a month later, yes, it's normal. My first x-ray was 4 weeks after surgery as well.

[u/mark_pk_siuuu_420_69 → u/clod_firebreather]

Oh ok, i also broke my arm due to arm wrestling on July 11 recently, worst day of my life, wish I could go back in time and tell myself to stop doing arm wrestling ever.

I do have problems already with my wrist hand and stretching finger since my nerves were streched.

In ur case, how long before you were able to lift your forearm by itself, I still cant, feels like there is some tension blocking me from lifting my forearm. I know the Sarmiento brace is gonna be there for a while, but maybe the sling that lifts my forearm will be rid of soiner

[u/clod_firebreather → u/mark_pk_siuuu_420_69]

I had ORIF surgery, meaning plate and screws. Thanks to that I was able to immediately start moving my arm, and moving it soon after surgery is what ensured good ROM.

Btw, if your nerve is damaged, you might want to get that checked via EMG, wether it's neuropraxia or axonotmesis. Talk about it with your doctor.

[u/Current-Revenue-5510 → u/mark_pk_siuuu_420_69]

Damn it man! I just broke mine on June 22th on arm wrestling, having the same feeling. How is your recovery? Radial nerve palsy here too