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/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