Is wrist drop from compression reversible in male aged 25?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 25-year-old male, standing at 175 cm and weighing 168 lbs. No history of medications, non-smoker, and no current medical issues. But today, I woke up with a non-functioning wrist and diagnosed it as the title mentions. The night before this, I fell asleep programming, which might have caused this, as I believe I pressed my arm into my laptop. My main question is the severity. Since I have no connection to my radial nerve, I have no response to lift my fingers, wrist, or thumb of my right hand. The numbness along the back of my hand is faint, with significant numbness along the side of my thumb to the second joint. Slight numbness to the first knuckle of my index finger, and no numbness along my middle or other fingers. My forearm does not contract, and I feel a small string of numbness along the right side of my forearm. I have not performed a triceps test, as that would be hard, and I would not want to possibly damage any nerves further. Since then, I have gotten a splint.

I woke up strangely confused on my back, and there was no pain or tingling, and I still have not felt any. However, there was a pain in the back of my tricep halfway along, which I presumably compressed.

Is this fairly standard for symptoms? Or is it bad? I have no health insurance, so I would rather ask first, according to symptoms, before acting accordingly. I would rather not lose full control since I use a keyboard for a living, though it works for now since I can somewhat control my fingers.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query, and I understand your concern.

I am sorry to hear about your symptoms. Based on your description of waking up with a non-functioning wrist, loss of movement in your fingers, wrist, and thumb, along with numbness and pain in the tricep area, it appears you may be experiencing radial nerve dysfunction, commonly known as radial nerve palsy or "wrist drop."

Understanding radial nerve dysfunction: The radial nerve controls movement and sensation in parts of the arm, including the triceps, wrist, and hand. Compression or injury to this nerve can lead to symptoms such as

Weakness or inability to extend the wrist, fingers, or thumb (wrist drop).
Numbness or tingling along the back of the hand, thumb, and index finger.
Pain or tenderness in the tricep area.
Difficulty gripping objects.

These symptoms can result from prolonged pressure on the nerve, such as leaning on your arm while sleeping, which might have occurred while you were programming. This is sometimes referred to as "Saturday night palsy."

Severity and Prognosis: The severity of radial nerve dysfunction varies. In many cases, especially those caused by compression, symptoms improve with conservative treatment over time. However, if there is significant nerve damage, recovery may take longer, and in some instances, surgical intervention might be necessary.

Recommended actions given your situation and the absence of health insurance:

Here are some steps you can take:

Rest and avoid further pressure: Ensure you do not apply additional pressure to your arm, especially the triceps area.
Use a splint: Continue using the wrist splint to prevent further strain and support the wrist.
Gentle exercises: Once the initial pain subsides, gentle stretching and strengthening exercises can help. For example, gently pulling your wrist and fingers back while keeping your elbow extended can aid in maintaining mobility.
Monitor symptoms: Keep track of any changes in your symptoms. If you notice improvement, continue with the current management plan. If symptoms worsen or don't improve after a few weeks, consider seeking medical attention. Seek low-cost medical advice.

When to seek medical attention: If you experience any of the following, it is important to consult a healthcare professional promptly:

Persistent or worsening numbness or weakness.
Inability to move your wrist, fingers, or thumb.
Pain that doesn't improve with rest and splinting.
Signs of muscle atrophy or significant loss of function.

Early intervention can help prevent long-term complications and improve. Please take care, and I hope you experience a swift and full recovery.

I hope you find this helpful.

Thank you.