Wrist Drop

[tippyclubb]

Is anyone familiar with this, and if so please share your experience. My main concern is recovery time and if your Radial nerve healed without surgery.

I'm finding a lot of information about it on the internet, but prefer to talk with someone who has dealt with it. I've been to two doctors and will be seeing a hand specialist soon.

[OBXNana]

Is anyone familiar with this, and if so please share your experience. My main concern is recovery time and if your Radial nerve healed without surgery.

I'm finding a lot of information about it on the internet, but prefer to talk with someone who has dealt with it. I've been to two doctors and will be seeing a hand specialist soon.

In 1983 I had both done about 6 weeks apart. After the first surgery I was told the entrapment was that of a truck driver many years my senior and was not given a lot of hope for full recovery. I had 100% use back after each surgery. This was many years ago and I would think things have come so far since that time. After the surgery we reared twins, got into house rehab, and I truly would say we abused our bodies! My surgery was my ticket to doing what I classified as fun and others would see as stupidity!

My only regret is living the couple years with the discomfort and loss of use and not having it done sooner. I do believe your body will be your guide and you will know when the time is right. Find the doctor you fully trust.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you have the same success I had.

[Ruthtomnorma3]

You are getting great information ....medical issues /treatments have come a long way....
I have found it is our RESPONSABILITY to follow the doctors post treatment...
I recently went for low back / muscle weakness...so I have to tell myself to wear the support band...over and over...it't the right thing to do. The doctor can only do so much...
Are you going to have this treatment before you come back here?

[tippyclubb]

In 1983 I had both done about 6 weeks apart. After the first surgery I was told the entrapment was that of a truck driver many years my senior and was not given a lot of hope for full recovery. I had 100% use back after each surgery. This was many years ago and I would think things have come so far since that time. After the surgery we reared twins, got into house rehab, and I truly would say we abused our bodies! My surgery was my ticket to doing what I classified as fun and others would see as stupidity!

My only regret is living the couple years with the discomfort and loss of use and not having it done sooner. I do believe your body will be your guide and you will know when the time is right. Find the doctor you fully trust.

I wish you the best of luck and hope you have the same success I had.

Thanks so much for sharing. It gives me hope knowing I can have use of my hand again. I'm seeing a hand specialist tomorrow so I'll know more then. I've heard and read the Radial nerve will heal on its own 50% of the time. Although, it can take months to heal. If my problem does not resolve naturally within the next few months, I will have surgery. This is not a good way to start out my retirement years.

Ruth Ann if surgery is needed I will have it done in Florida. Yes, I'll do everything the doctors tell me too. I'll be arriving shortly after Labor Day and will be looking for a orthopedic hand specialist. If anyone has any recommendations that would be great.

[OBXNana]

Beginning retirement with a diagnosis, treatment plan, and having a good idea what is in your future, is a wonderful way to begin the next third of your life! From your previous posts, I would guess you will embrace what you know, accept the challenge after your surgery, and move forward with a positive outlook on your future.

It's a bump in the road, but the outlook is so positive. You go girl!

I hope someone can help you find a surgeon that you fell comfortable, trust, and can go into the procedure with confidence. This forum is a wonderful tool.

[GoldenHurricane]

Is anyone familiar with this, and if so please share your experience. My main concern is recovery time and if your Radial nerve healed without surgery.



I'm finding a lot of information about it on the internet, but prefer to talk with someone who has dealt with it. I've been to two doctors and will be seeing a hand specialist soon.


Yes, I injured my arm/hand on the Mt. Everest roller coaster ride at Disney when I was there with my GKs February 2013. When I returned from that weekend trip, I thought maybe I was having a stroke because my hand and arm were numb. A friend who had had a stroke suggested I get to the ER and fast. Not a stroke but radial nerve damage, and I wore a splint on my left hand for a couple of months. By May of 2013, I had regained near full use of my hand.
Fast forward to May/June 2014 and I'm having problems with that radial nerve again. My left hand has no strength again, and it wants to close up. I finish my physical therapy this week, and I will see my neurologist next week. The PT has helped, but not cured the problem. I don't have a clue what my neurologist is going to recommend.

[tippyclubb]

OBXNana yes your right its just a small bump in the road. At first I was devastated but the last few days I've taken a different attitude. I'll do whatever it takes to get it fixed and if it cannot I'll learn to deal with it. I'm so blessed in many ways and refuse to let this get me down.

Thanks for the pep talk. I can't imagine having wrist drop in both hands like you did. It must have been difficult for you, but you got through it and I will too.

[tippyclubb]

Yes, I injured my arm/hand on the Mt. Everest roller coaster ride at Disney when I was there with my GKs February 2013. When I returned from that weekend trip, I thought maybe I was having a stroke because my hand and arm were numb. A friend who had had a stroke suggested I get to the ER and fast. Not a stroke but radial nerve damage, and I wore a splint on my left hand for a couple of months. By May of 2013, I had regained near full use of my hand.
Fast forward to May/June 2014 and I'm having problems with that radial nerve again. My left hand has no strength again, and it wants to close up. I finish my physical therapy this week, and I will see my neurologist next week. The PT has helped, but not cured the problem. I don't have a clue what my neurologist is going to recommend.

I woke up this way and thought I had a stroke too. About 5 years ago I lost use of my arm and hand so I figured it was the same median nerve problem. Back then I went to a chiropractor and within a month I was back to normal. My chiropractor is not confident he can help me with the Radial nerve.

I've been wearing a cock up brace and a sling since last Sunday. No improvement, but it has not got worse either.

Are you in TV and if so who are you using for PT and neurologist? I see you have lived in Tampa so if you have good doctor's there traveling would not be a problem for me. Please keep me posted of what your doctor recommends. Perhaps, we will be having surgery together, lol.

Good luck to you and I hope you can get this resolved without surgery.

[GoldenHurricane]

I woke up this way and thought I had a stroke too. About 5 years ago I lost use of my arm and hand so I figured it was the same median nerve problem. Back then I went to a chiropractor and within a month I was back to normal. My chiropractor is not confident he can help me with the Radial nerve.

I've been wearing a cock up brace and a sling since last Sunday. No improvement, but it has not got worse either.

Are you in TV and if so who are you using for PT and neurologist? I see you have lived in Tampa so if you have good doctor's there traveling would not be a problem for me. Please keep me posted of what your doctor recommends. Perhaps, we will be having surgery together, lol.

Good luck to you and I hope you can get this resolved without surgery.


Thank you. I don't want surgery either!

Yes, I am a Villager. I think some of my recent problems are work-related. I still work part time as a paralegal performing a lot of repetitive keystroke motions on the computer. My neurologist is Jay Rubin, M.D., primarily from Ocala, but has a Summerfield office near the TV. He is board certified; he is good; I like him. My physical therapist is Ed, last name unknown (the short Ed – there are two Eds there) at Lake Centre rehab near Lake Sumter Landing. He is good; I like him.
I already know what Ed's recommendations are; and, they involve my boss reconfiguring my workstation. That needs to be done. I hope Dr. Ruben agrees. For the record, I have worked many years as an insurance defense legal assistant. It is not my desire to file a workers comp claim; I would rather work!

[tippyclubb]

Absolutely, it's work related. I was told 5 years ago to change jobs, but I didn't listen. I've had problems with this hand on and off for years but never this bad. I am officially retired now so if surgery is needed I won't be causing more damage by working.

If your doctor recommends surgery will you continue to work after recovering? Hopefully, if your work station is changed that may help. Is your wrist and arm painful? Mine has no pain, some feeling, and very little numbness, only paralysis.

Thanks for the information and don't forget to let me know how your appointment with the neurologist goes.