A broken upper arm that leaves your wrist weak
An orthopedic trauma surgeon and a hand therapist on radial nerve injury
The radial nerve runs close to the middle of the upper arm bone. A break there can stretch or injure the nerve. You may have trouble straightening your wrist, fingers or thumb. The feeling on the back of your hand may change. [1, 2]
This is sometimes called wrist drop. The name alone doesn’t tell you whether the nerve is bruised, trapped or cut. The first step is to record what your hand can do right now. [1, 2]
Get a clear baseline exam
Your care team should test how your fingers, thumb and wrist move. They should check how your hand feels, too, and write it all down. Ask if the weakness was there before anyone moved the broken bone or operated, or if it showed up afterward. That timing helps guide the next exam. [1, 2]
Ask how the alignment of the bone and the nerve’s function will be checked at your follow up visits. Some radial nerve injuries recover without nerve surgery. Still, the plan depends on the whole injury. [1, 2]
Protect a hand that can't straighten
A therapist may give you a wrist support. It helps your hand grip better and keeps the joints from getting stiff. Your fracture brace has its own instructions, so follow those as well. Move your fingers and other joints only within the limits you’ve been given. [1, 2]
Shield skin with less feeling from heat, pressure and sharp objects. If your strength isn’t coming back, ask when nerve testing or a specialist’s review would help. [1, 2]
Report anything new
Questions about your nerve and your support
- Which movements and areas of feeling were off at my first exam?
- What support will help me use my hand and keep it safe?
- When will my nerve recovery be checked again?
Get the nerve findings in writing
Ask that the nerve exam results be written into your discharge papers or clinic notes. [1]
Sources and further reading
- 1Orthopaedic Trauma Association, humeral shaft fracture
- 2Cambridge University Hospitals, humeral shaft fractures
This is general education from orthopedic trauma and hand therapy experts. A weak wrist after a crash calls for a nerve exam that’s written down. You also need a plan for both the broken bone and how your hand works.
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