Radial Nerve Glide

Radial Nerve Glide

Purpose: Promote gentle radial nerve mobility for improved comfort with wrist/hand motion.

Equipment: None.

How to do it (one common version):
1) Stand tall with your arm at your side and elbow straight or slightly bent.
2) Turn your palm inward (thumb toward your body) and gently bend the wrist so the palm points slightly backward (wrist flexion with fingers relaxed).
3) Slowly move the arm slightly behind you while keeping the shoulder down.
4) To reduce intensity, bend the elbow or bring the arm forward.

Intensity rule: You may feel a gentle stretch; avoid sharp pain or lasting nerve symptoms.

Dosage: 3 sets of 10 reps (or seconds/holds if that is how your therapist prescribed it). Rest 30–60 seconds between sets.

Progression:
- Increase elbow straightening and shoulder extension gradually.
- Add a small head tilt away only if comfortable.

Comfort and safety:
Move slowly and stay in a comfortable range. A mild stretch or light muscle fatigue is okay; sharp pain is not.
Stop and contact your care team if you notice increasing swelling, redness, warmth, drainage, fever, or new/worsening numbness/tingling.
Follow any post-op precautions, lifting limits, and motion restrictions given by your surgeon or therapist.