Radial nerve palsy following humeral shaft fracture: a theoretical PNF rehabilitation approach for tendon and nerve transfers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Humerus fracture-induced radial nerve injury can create severe and permanent disabilities. Purpose Surgical management often relies on either tendon or nerve transfer. Regardless of which procedure is selected, physical therapists are challenged to restore functional outcomes without jeopardizing repair healing. Through synergistic, multi planar upper extremity movement patterns, neuromuscular irradiation, or overflow, and neuroplasticity, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) may improve strength, range of motion and tone. Methods After reviewing the literature, a five phase PNF-based treatment approach is proposed with timing differences based on the selected procedure. Findings Phase I (2 or 4 weeks pre-surgery for tendon or nerve transfer, respectively) consists of comprehensive patient education; Phase II (4–6 or 1–2 weeks post-surgery for tendon or nerve transfer, respectively) explores variable duration peripheral and central nervous system motor learning during isometric activation to enhance central neuroplasticity; Phase III (7–12 or 3–20 weeks post-surgery for tendon or nerve transfer, respectively) incorporates low-intensity motor control including contralateral isotonic upper extremity loading to maximize overflow and neuroplastic effects; Phase IV (13–26 or 21–52 weeks post-surgery for tendon or nerve transfer, respectively) adds high-intensity strength and motor control using ipsilateral isotonic upper extremity loading to maximize overflow and neuroplastic effects. Phase V (27–52 or 53–78 weeks post-surgery for tendon or nerve transfer, respectively) progresses to more activity of daily living, vocational, or sport-specific training with higher intensity strength and motor control tasks. Conclusions Through manually guided synergistic, multi planar movement, overflow, and neuroplasticity, a PNF treatment approach may optimize neuromuscular recovery. Validation strategies to confirm clinical treatment efficacy are discussed.