Recovery from Radial Nerve Injury
Based on your current functional status—ability to lift 10 pounds and resolution of finger drop—you have an excellent prognosis for full recovery and strength restoration, with most patients achieving complete or near-complete function. 1, 2
Current Status Assessment
Your clinical presentation indicates significant nerve recovery:
- Lifting 10 pounds demonstrates functional wrist extension strength, which is the primary indicator of radial nerve motor recovery 2
- Resolution of finger drop (middle finger no longer dropping) confirms motor recovery has begun, as this represents return of extensor digitorum function 1
- Good ventral (palmar) hand function was never affected by radial nerve injury, as the radial nerve only controls wrist, finger, and thumb extension, not flexion 3
Expected Recovery Timeline and Probability
If your nerve has already begun recovering (which your symptoms indicate), the probability of achieving full functional recovery is approximately 90% 2:
- Most radial nerve injuries associated with closed trauma recover spontaneously without surgical intervention 1, 4
- If recovery has started by 7 months post-injury, the probability of continued improvement through 18 months remains 56% or higher 2
- Patients who demonstrate any motor recovery (wrist extension against gravity) typically progress to complete or near-complete function 5
Critical Rehabilitation Requirements
You must continue active finger and wrist motion exercises immediately and consistently to prevent permanent stiffness, which is the most functionally disabling complication and can be more problematic than the nerve injury itself 1:
- Active range of motion exercises should be performed daily to maintain joint mobility 4
- Failure to maintain joint mobility during recovery leads to permanent stiffness that is difficult to reverse and may require surgical intervention 1
- Exercise therapy should focus on proprioception, muscle response time, and progressive strengthening 6
Strength Recovery Expectations
You should expect gradual strength improvement over the next several months 5:
- Grip strength typically returns to satisfactory or normal levels in patients with recovering radial nerve injuries 7, 5
- Hand dexterity is generally very good or good in the majority of patients who achieve motor recovery 5
- Progressive resistance exercises should be incorporated as strength improves 8
Monitoring for Complete Recovery
Continue follow-up to document progressive improvement 1:
- Any plateau in recovery lasting beyond 6 months without clinical improvement warrants electrodiagnostic studies 4
- Persistent weakness at 12 months reduces probability of further spontaneous recovery to approximately 17% 2
- Most patients who will recover do so within 7-12 months of injury onset 2