ISSN 0303-5212
 

Original Research 
RMJ. 2016; 41(3): 308-311


Postoperative iatrogenic radial nerve palsy in open reduction internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures

Muhammad Inam, Ismail Khan, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Saeed.

Abstract
Objective: To determine the frequency of postoperative iatrogenic radial nerve palsy in open reduction internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures.
Methodology: In this descriptive cross sectional study, a total of 41 humerus shaft fractures were treated surgically at Orthopedic Department, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan over a period of one year from September 2014 to august 2015. The frequency of postoperative iatrogenic radial nerve palsy were noted among these patients.
Results: Of the 41 patients, 10 were female and 32 were male. The median age was 32 years (range, 20-65 years). Out of these, 35 patients had been treated with dynamic compression plates and six with locking compression plates. All fractures were diaphyseal, at the middle or distal third level. Four (9.8%) patients developed iatrogenic radial nerve palsy. In them, the radial nerve was in continuity and no macroscopic lesions were noted. The median time to the beginning of clinical recovery was 16 weeks (range, 5–25 weeks). The timing and pattern of radial nerve recovery in this situation was similar to that seen in primary radial nerve palsy.
Conclusion: Post-operative radial nerve palsy is almost always transient and recovers with the passage of time with patient reassurance and dynamic splint in extend position of the wrist and fingers. Open reduction internal fixation provides greater patient comfort and is a good alterna-tive to conservative treatment, as unnecessary avoidance of open reduction internal fixation in fear of iatrogenic radial nerve palsy, unemployment of the patient and prolongs limb rehabilitation.

Key words: Iatrogenic radial palsy, humerus fracture, conventional dynamic compression plate.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Muhammad Inam, Ismail Khan, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Saeed. Postoperative iatrogenic radial nerve palsy in open reduction internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures. RMJ. 2016; 41(3): 308-311.


Web Style

Muhammad Inam, Ismail Khan, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Saeed. Postoperative iatrogenic radial nerve palsy in open reduction internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=228360 [Access: December 05, 2023].


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Muhammad Inam, Ismail Khan, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Saeed. Postoperative iatrogenic radial nerve palsy in open reduction internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures. RMJ. 2016; 41(3): 308-311.



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Muhammad Inam, Ismail Khan, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Saeed. Postoperative iatrogenic radial nerve palsy in open reduction internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures. RMJ. (2016), [cited December 05, 2023]; 41(3): 308-311.



Harvard Style

Muhammad Inam, Ismail Khan, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Saeed (2016) Postoperative iatrogenic radial nerve palsy in open reduction internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures. RMJ, 41 (3), 308-311.



Turabian Style

Muhammad Inam, Ismail Khan, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Saeed. 2016. Postoperative iatrogenic radial nerve palsy in open reduction internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures. Rawal Medical Journal, 41 (3), 308-311.



Chicago Style

Muhammad Inam, Ismail Khan, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Saeed. "Postoperative iatrogenic radial nerve palsy in open reduction internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures." Rawal Medical Journal 41 (2016), 308-311.



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Muhammad Inam, Ismail Khan, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Saeed. "Postoperative iatrogenic radial nerve palsy in open reduction internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures." Rawal Medical Journal 41.3 (2016), 308-311. Print.



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Muhammad Inam, Ismail Khan, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Saeed (2016) Postoperative iatrogenic radial nerve palsy in open reduction internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures. Rawal Medical Journal, 41 (3), 308-311.