Acute Combined Median and Radial Nerve Palsies after Distal Humeral Shaft Fracture

Document Type : CASE REPORT

Authors

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, USA

Abstract

We report a case of a 29-year-old man who presented with a distal humeral shaft fracture sustained by blunt trauma. Physical
examination and nerve conduction study were consistent with injury to the median and radial nerves proximal to the
elbow. The patient underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the humeral shaft fracture with neurolysis of the median
and radial nerves. Repeat electromyography at 6 months postoperatively showed recruitment of motor units in all muscles
sampled, in keeping with clinical improvement. At 16 months follow-up, the patient was full strength in all muscle groups,
was back to all activities with no restrictions, and was discharged from follow-up. Our case describes clinical improvement
after surgical intervention in a patient with combined median and radial nerve palsies following distal humeral shaft fracture.

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Main Subjects

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The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume 6, Issue 2
March 2018
Pages 150-154

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 May 2017
  • Revise Date: 22 July 2017
  • Accept Date: 22 July 2017

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