Exercises for Wrist Drop

Wrist drop is a condition caused by radial nerve palsy, which happens when the radial nerve (a major nerve that travels down your arm) is compressed or injured, according to StatPearls.

If you've been advised to do physical therapy for radial nerve palsy, here are some wrist drop exercises that can help with the healing process.

What Is Wrist Drop?

The radial nerve is a long nerve that travels down your arm, carrying signals from your brain to your arm, forearm, wrist, and hand, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It allows you to straighten your elbow and rotate or straighten your wrist.

Radial nerve injuries can result in an inability to extend your wrist, a condition known as wrist drop. This means you cannot lift your hand because it stays dropped down. You might also experience pain or numbness in your hand or fingers.

Often, wrist drop is simply caused by compression of the nerve — for example, if you’ve slept with it tucked under your body. It might even take a few days for the numbness to set in.

Less commonly, wrist drop may result from underlying issues like lead poisoning, thiamin deficiency, or a neuromuscular disorder.

Radial nerve injuries can also occur after trauma, overuse, or improper use of crutches, according to StatPearls.

If you’re having difficulty lifting your wrist or fingers, consider visiting a doctor for an examination. Depending on the cause of your wrist drop, they may recommend wearing a wrist splint and doing physical therapy exercises, according to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, like the ones below.

The typical recovery time for a radial nerve injury is about four months, according to Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami. Mild cases of wrist drop may recover on their own, showing improvement in even a few weeks. More severe cases may require additional evaluation by a doctor, including nerve tests imaging.

Wrist Drop Exercises

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has suggested some exercises that can help improve symptoms and ease pain.

You should do them for at least 6 to 12 weeks — though you should always check with your doctor first to ensure these exercises are safe for you and helpful for your individual situation.

And if you feel increased pain while following this program or performing the movements, stop doing the exercises and contact your doctor.

1. Wrist Extension Stretch

1. Hold your injured arm straight out in front of you but avoid locking your elbow.
2. Bend your wrist backward so that your fingers point toward the ceiling, as though you're signaling someone to stop.
3. Use your other hand to gently pull the fingers of your injured hand back toward you until you feel the stretch on the inside of your forearm.
4. Hold for 15 seconds.
5. Do five repetitions four times per day.

2. Wrist Flexion Stretch

1. Hold your injured arm straight out in front of you but avoid locking your elbow.
2. Allow your fingers to point toward the floor.
3. Use your other hand to gently push the fingers of your injured hand back toward you, until you feel the stretch on the outside of your forearm.
4. Hold for 15 seconds.
5. Do five repetitions four times per day.

3. Wrist Supination

1. Bend the elbow of your injured hand and keep it close to your body, near your ribs.
2. Turn your palm upward so that it faces the ceiling.
3. Use your other hand to hold the wrist of your injured hand and turn your forearm further into an upward position, until you feel a stretch.
4. Hold for 15 seconds.
5. Do five repetitions four times per day.

4. Radial Nerve Glide

1. Stand in a comfortable position with your arms by your sides.
2. Drop the shoulder of your injured arm and stretch your fingers downward.
3. Rotate your arm so your thumb points toward your body.
4. Flex your wrist so your fingers point away from you. Tilt your head away from the arm you are stretching.
5. Keeping your wrist flexed and your head tilted away, raise your arm up and back, away from your body.
6. Hold each of these positions for three to five seconds. Repeat the movements five to eight times in total, and do this exercise two to four times per day.