Superficial radial nerve damage due to Kirschner wiring of the radius

For displaced fractures of the radius, the use of Kirschner wires (K Wires) is accepted practice either alone or to supplement external fixation. Complications related to K wires include infection, migration and damage to tendons and nerves. We set out to investigate to incidence of superficial radial nerve damage due to radial styloid K wires. Injury to the sensory branch of the superficial radial nerve was seen in eight (20%) out of the 40 patients. K wiring is a popular technique to help maintain anatomic reduction of distal radial fractures. It has the advantage of being a semi-closed procedure, which is simple to perform. However, the morbidity of nerve damage is often underestimated and can be avoided.