Nerve Issues Following Mid Radius ORIF / Plate Removal & Neurolysis – Persistent Tugging + Numb Thumb
Hi everyone,
I’m wondering if anyone has experienced something similar after a mid-radius ORIF or superficial radial nerve issue.
I originally had a mid-radius ORIF, and afterward I developed persistent symptoms involving the superficial radial nerve. My surgeon later found a lot of scar tissue around the nerve, and I had plate removal + neurolysis because the nerve and surrounding tissues (including ligament/tendon) were heavily scarred and compressed.
I’m now nearly 6 months post-op from the neurolysis/plate removal.
My main symptoms are:
Pulling/tugging sensation into the back of my thumb and first web space
Feels like a “tight rope” when I straighten my arm or tense my forearm
Numbness on the back of the thumb/web space
Intermittent electric shocks/zingers
Worse when squeezing the forearm or holding the elbow bent for a long time
Sometimes loosens slightly with stretching or changing arm position
The strange part is:
Strength is normal
Numbness hasn’t spread
Symptoms fluctuate with position/movement
But the pulling sensation feels almost unchanged for months
My surgeon said the surgery went well and that the nerve had been heavily scarred/tethered before release, so it may just need a long time to settle. I’m trying to understand whether this sounds more like:
persistent nerve sensitivity/stretch intolerance
muscle/fascial tightness around the nerve
tendon/fascial glide issue
or possible re-tethering
Has anyone had:
a “rope pulling” sensation into the thumb/web space after radial nerve decompression?
symptoms plateau for months and then improve later?
numbness + shocks together this long after surgery?
Would really appreciate hearing anyone’s experiences or timelines.
Thanks 🙏