Mapping Recovery: The RADAR Scale, Born From a Clinical Round.

OBJECTIVE

To introduce a novel, patient-centered assessment tool, the RADAR (Reach, Activities, Dexterity, Awareness, Role) scale, designed to quantify functional recovery and facilitate communication in patients with nerve injuries, particularly when functional improvement differs from electrophysiological data.

DESIGN

This proof-of-concept study details the development and retrospective application of a new assessment scale derived from a single case observation.

SETTING

An inpatient ward at an orthopedic center.

PARTICIPANTS

A 73-year-old woman who developed complete radial nerve palsy after a humeral shaft fracture.

INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent open reduction and internal fixation with radial nerve neurolysis, followed by a 7-month rehabilitation program.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The RADAR scale, a 10-item, 50-point tool assessing functional recovery, was retrospectively applied. Scores were compared with serial electromyogram reports of motor nerve amplitude.

RESULTS

The patient's total RADAR score progressively improved from 0 preoperatively to 50 at 28 weeks, closely tracking her observed functional gains. In contrast, electromyogram data showed minimal improvement, with motor nerve amplitude remaining far below normal values, demonstrating a stark function-data dissociation.

CONCLUSIONS

The RADAR scale can effectively quantify patient-centered functional progress that may be overlooked by standard electrophysiological tests. As a simple tool integrating assessment with shared decision making, it holds potential to improve communication and humanize care in nerve injury rehabilitation. Its validity and reliability warrant investigation in larger prospective studies.