Last week I woke up with a "wrist drop" and a hand and fingers that could not function. I assumed I had experienced a stroke. I went to the ER and they thought it was quite possible. My MRI was fine, so they referred me to a Neurologist. He's perhaps the first doctor I have seen throughout the last few years that really examined me. He was surprised with the severity of my PN that my own doctor has never done ant testing. We are first doing a lot of blood tests to see if he can determine the cause of my PN and then move on to other testing. Has anyone here had Radial Nerve Palsy and what were your results with time and therapy? I'm being told if we can get it to come back to fully functional, it may take up to six months. It is rather annoying, but I'm thankful it was not a stroke and that it is my left hand rather than my right/dominant hand.

I woke up about 3 years ago with "wrist drop". I too thought it might be a stroke so I went to the ER. They were not sure what the problem was but a stroke was ruled out. I was admitted to the hospital and after tests ordered by neurologist, it was diagnosed as radial neuropathy. I was discharged from the hospital and they wanted me to do physical therapy. I was uninsured at the time so I went back to work and found that the more I used my wrist, the better it got. I have full use of it now but I have problems with my hand and arm tingling and having severe pins and needles. This only happens at night. I think the more you use it, the better it will get. When I was in the hospital, I was also diagnosed with PN.

So far I'm finding you are right. I have a little more use of my hand after two weeks. With the lack of replies, I wonder if this is rare and also if it is a complication of PN or just something anyone can get. The long recovery time of six months and possibly never regaining full use of it is scary. My PT starts in about a week. I sure hope it helps because trying to do everything with one hand is a pain in the butt!

Hi Folks

I woke up about 2 weeks ago with radial nerve palsy.

I also thought i had had a stroke of sorts initially but somehow managed to put that thought behind me.
It was a Sunday morning so I just relaxed and researched online as much as i could to try and understand what was presenting itself to me.

Its a shock considering there was no trauma as such.
I am 46yrs, 80kg, 6.2, pretty active, ride my dirtbike every other weekend, never overweight. I do have T2 diabeties though, which is a real challenge.
Had this conditions for about 12 years now, in the family as well (Mom).

Anyway, went to MD, referred to Neuro whom I got to see a week later and he just confirmed the radial nerve palsy.
I seem to have damaged this just above the elbow before it splits so have classic wrist drop. basically all extensor muscles in the forearm are on strike.

I still have full motion in the shoulder and elbow and good strenght in those movements when compared to my other good arm (right).
None of this helps as I am a lefty, so cant even write with a pen.

So neuro had a look, did not ask for EMG, and said just wait and come back in a month.

I have done a mini google anatomy course on the muscles in the forearm responsible for extension.
I try and move the wrist (extend) and can, but not past neutral sort of position and not with gravity acting against the hand.

Just today I have noticed a little 'flicker in the forearm muscles when i try and move it. Maybe brachiorradialus? dunno so many muscles there I am not qualified to tell.

I am holding onto some hope with that flicker though.
No thumbs up or confident finger extension possible.

I have a further appointment with the neuro in about 3 weeks.
I suspect that if there is not a tangible recovery by then he will ask for an emg.

I have read many stories online (dangerous) about recovery times varying from a month or 2 to years to never, but I am trying to remain positive.

Anyway, just thought i would share as I came across this topic while looking researching this condition.

It is the strangest thing, to stare at your limb or extension thereof, and will it to move, and it does nothing.
Whilst this is certainly traumatic to me, it is one hand and a wrist, and a lot of folks have a harsher deal than that, but I would welcome any advice or shared experience regarding this issue.

Thanks

Yea it is pretty frightening when your brain tells your hand to move but it does nothing. I had been having terrible foot pain in both feet for about a year before this and after my primary care physician had done a lot of routine tests he still had no idea what was wrong. So when I was in the ER, I was seen by a Neurologist and after I was admitted he performed nerve conductive tests on both legs, feet and my right arm. That's when he told me that I have both Peripheral Neuropathy affecting both feet and Radial Neuropathy in my right arm affecting my right hand.

I just used my right hand and arm as much as possible (physical therapy) for about 2 weeks after I got out of the hospital and eventually regained full control of my hand. I still have a LOT of tingling and pins/needles feeling in my arm at times (mostly at night) from my armpit all the way through my hand. It sounds strange but when I'm having this terrible pain from the tingling (at least a 9 on the pain scale), my hand is completely numb.

I also have Trigeminal Neuralgia (another nerve disorder) so it looks like my whole nervous system is going to hell.

Unfortunately, I guess I will have to live with these nervous system problems for the rest of my life since there are no cures as far as I know.

Hi, I'm new here. I know you guys wanna hear inspiring stories, but I have to ask. Is there anyone out there who had to live thru having permanent radial nerve mononeuropathy?