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

Abstract

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