Difficulty in Clinical Evaluation of Radial Nerve Injury due to Multiple Trauma to the Humerus, Wrist, and Hand

Sabri B., Yilmaz G., Adem E., Davut K., Özlem B.

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMAGING SCIENCE, vol.4, 2014 (ESCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 4
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.4103/2156-7514.129263
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMAGING SCIENCE
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
  • Keywords: Arm injury, humeral fracture, radial nerve lesion
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Radial nerve damage is frequently encountered in humeral fractures. The radial nerve is primarily damaged when the humerus gets fractured, while secondary damage maybe due to post-traumatic manipulations and surgical exploration. High impact traumatic nerve injury, serious neuropathic pain, lack of response to therapeutic interventions, and indifference to the Tinel test are indications for surgical intervention. Since most humeral fracture-induced low impact radial nerve injuries resolve spontaneously, conservative therapy is preferred. We present a patient with humeral fracture-associated radial nerve injury, accompanied with digital amputation and flexor tendon avulsion on the same arm. These injuries required immediate surgery, thus rendering the clinical evaluation of the radial nerve impossible. We would like to highlight and discuss the inherent difficulties associated with multiple trauma of the upper arm.