Wrist drop medical therapy

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

The goal of treatment is to allow you to use the hand and arm as much as possible. The health care provider should find and treat the cause, if possible. In some cases, no treatment is needed and you will recover slowly on your own. Initial management includes splinting of the wrist for support along with occupational or physical therapy. Medical causes such as diabetes and kidney disease should be treated.

Medications may include:

• Over-the-counter analgesics or prescription pain medications to control pain (neuralgia)
• Anticonvulsant medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine, gabapentin, and pregabalin) or tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline) to reduce stabbing pain
• Steroid (prednisone) injections around the nerve to reduce swelling may help some patients.

Whenever possible, avoid or minimize your use of medications to reduce the risk of side effects.

Other treatments include:

• Braces, splints, or other appliances to help you use the hand in severe cases
• Physical therapy to help maintain muscle strength

Occupational therapy and vocational therapy or counseling to suggest changes at the worksite may be needed.

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