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Category: Volume 08 Issue 07 July 2020
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Title: Secondary Radial Nerve Palsy Following Plate Osteosynthesis in Shaft of Humerus Fracture: A Case Report

Authors: Sanjeev Gupta, Amit Kumar

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i7.89

Abstract

Fractures of the humeral shaft account for roughly 2-3% of all fractures. The commonest associated injury to a closed diaphyseal humeral fracture is the injury of the radial nerve. Radial nerve function is likely to return spontaneously after primary as well as secondary nerve palsy in the absence of any level of neurotmesis. The management of primary and secondary radial nerve palsy associated with humeral shaft fractures is still controversial. Identification and protection of radial nerve during surgery may prevent secondary nerve palsy. We present a case of22 year old female, right handed, tailor by occupation with radial nerve palsy after failed plate fixation of right humerus shaft fracture using anterolateral approach. During exploration of radial nerve and revision fixation of the fracture, we found that the nerve was stretched, scared and impinged by a screw. Full recovery of radial nerve function occurred eventually.

Keywords: Humeral shaft fracture, Secondary radial nerve injury, internal fixation with plate.

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Corresponding Author

Amit Kumar

PG Resident Government Medical College, Jammu