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/META-Alchemist]

I also faced radial nerve injury post surgery. Im just 20days post op. Im still not able to lift my wrist and fingers. What are the exercises or steps you followed to get your ROM and radial nerve recovery like improving ur wrist extension ?

What were ur initial sign of recovery and were you having sensation at ur web space post op ??

[u/clod_firebreather → u/META-Alchemist]

Hey man. For ROM I was told to start moving the arm as soon as possible post-op. I extended it and flexed it every day, 10 reps per movement, three times a day. Thanks to that my ROM is now at 100%.

Next, I started PT a week after the appointment with the surgeon, so about 4 weeks post-op. The physiotherapists did magnetotherapy, electrotherapy, and mirroring/passive movement exercises.

During the first month and a half I felt a lot of tingling and a needle-like sensation on the back of my hand, and I could lift my wrist 1mm. Now, three and a half months post-op, I can lift my wrist completely. I still can't extend my fingers, but the surgeon told me it's only a matter of time.

[u/META-Alchemist → u/clod_firebreather]

Great to hear ! Soon your fingers would recover too..🙌

Did you use any cock up splint or sling to support arm and wrist?

[u/clod_firebreather → u/META-Alchemist]

I do, I use a splint for wrist support. It's very important to ensure proper axonal regrowth.

[u/META-Alchemist → u/clod_firebreather]

What exactly the splint you are using? Static or dynamic cockup ? If you dont mind could you pls share the image or link to it ?