Radial nerve lesions associated with fractures of the humeral shaft

Radial nerve palsy associated with a fracture of the shaft of the humerus is a relatively common injury. Out of 91 radial nerve injuries, operated upon in the Neurosurgical University Clinic in Belgrade from 1979 to 1988, 37 were associated with fractures of the humeral shaft or their surgical treatment. These fractures were previously treated in other medical units. In all cases a microsurgical reconstruction of the radial nerve was done: an interfascicular neurolysis in 24 cases and interfascicular grafting in 13 cases. A useful functional recovery was obtained in 91.9 per cent of the cases. Timing of nerve exploration and repair, as a main problem, is discussed.     

Radial nerve injuries associated with humeral fractures

A radial nerve injury associated with a humeral shaft fracture is an important injury pattern among trauma patients. It is the most common peripheral nerve injury associated with this fracture. Although treatment for this injury pattern is a controversial subject among upper-extremity surgeons, certain principles of management need to be applied in all cases. As our understanding of the pathoanatomy of the humerus and surrounding neurovascular structures has evolved, surgeons have adapted their strategies to improve outcome and avoid long-term morbidity. The principles of management and the clinical outcomes of various treatment strategies, defined in the literature, are reviewed in this article.     

肱骨干骨折后桡神经麻痹的系统评价

目的采用循证医学研究方法,系统评价肱骨干骨折后桡神经麻痹(radialnervepalsy,RNP)的不同处理方法,为临床治疗决策提供证据基础。方法采用PubMed、Datastar及CochraneDatabase等互联网公共搜索引擎作为检索工具,检索过去40年中发表的有关肱骨干骨折后桡神经麻痹的文献,再对入选文献的参考文献行手工检索,制定数据抽取问表,对入选文献进行数据抽取、汇总、归纳和荟萃分析。结果共检索到391篇原始文献,其中324篇得自电子检索,67篇得自手工检索。有35篇符合最终的入选标准,总计随访患者1045例。其中21篇文献共记录了发生于4517例肱骨干骨折中的532例桡神经麻痹,肱骨干骨折后桡神经麻痹的发生率为11.8%。肱骨干中1/5和中远1/5部位的桡神经麻痹发生率明显高于其他部位(P<0.05)。不同骨折类型中,横形和螺旋形骨折较斜形和粉碎性骨折更易于并发桡神经麻痹(P<0.0001)。肱骨干骨折后桡神经麻痹总的恢复率为88.1%,早期保守治疗的病例自发性恢复率为70.7%。观察等待组和早期手术探查组之间神经恢复的最终结果没有明显差别。结论对肱骨干骨折后桡神经麻痹采用早期保守治疗不会影响神经的最终恢复结果,可以避免许多不必要的手术。     

Radial nerve palsy associated with fractures of the shaft of the humerus: a systematic review

The management of radial nerve palsy associated with fractures of the shaft of the humerus has been disputed for several decades. This study has systematically reviewed the published evidence and developed an algorithm to guide management. We searched web-based databases for studies published in the past 40 years and identified further pages through manual searches of the bibliography in papers identified electronically. Of 391 papers identified initially, encompassing a total of 1045 patients with radial nerve palsy, 35 papers met all our criteria for eligibility. Meticulous extraction of the data was carried out according to a preset protocol. The overall prevalence of radial nerve palsy after fracture of the shaft of the humerus in 21 papers was 11.8% (532 palsies in 4517 fractures). Fractures of the middle and middle-distal parts of the shaft had a significantly higher association with radial nerve palsy than those in other parts. Transverse and spiral fractures were more likely to be associated with radial nerve palsy than oblique and comminuted patterns of fracture (p < 0.001). The overall rate of recovery was 88.1% (921 of 1045), with spontaneous recovery reaching 70.7% (411 of 581) in patients treated conservatively. There was no significant difference in the final results when comparing groups which were initially managed expectantly with those explored early, suggesting that the initial expectant treatment did not affect the extent of nerve recovery adversely and would avoid many unnecessary operations. A treatment algorithm for the management of radial nerve palsy associated with fracture of the shaft of the humerus is recommended by the authors.     

Secondary radial nerve palsy after internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures

Objective and background

There was no agreement with regard to the treatment for secondary radial nerve palsy. This study aimed to investigate at what point should exploration of the nerve be considered.

Methods

One hundred and twenty-five patients with fracture of the diaphyseal humerus treated with internal fixation at our hospital from February 2000 to February 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. There were six cases of secondary radial nerve palsy occurred soon after humeral internal fixation. No recognized intraoperative injuries to the radial nerve were recorded. Initial conservative observation was carried out in all six cases.

Results

Follow-up period averaged 28 months (range 24–37 months). In four cases, the beginning of electromyography recovery averaged 3.5 months (range 1–5 months), the meantime of onset of clinical recovery was 4.8 months (range 1–6 months), and the average time to full recovery of wrist and finger extension was 8.5 months (range 3–12 months). In other two cases, nerve exploration was made when there was no nerve recovery 3 months after internal fixation of humeral fracture at the request of patients. There were no macroscopic lesions of the radial nerve. At 2-year follow-up, extension of wrist and finger recovered to nearly normal in these two cases.

Conclusions

For treatment for secondary radial nerve palsy, it seems reasonable to consider watchful waiting for about 5 months before nerve exploration if the decision as to the period of waiting was based on the clinical recovery onset time.     

Comparison of initial nonoperative and operative management of radial nerve palsy associated with acute humeral shaft fractures

As a result of reading this article, physicians should be able to:1.Become familiar with the available treatment approaches for radial nerve palsy associated with humeral shaft fractures.2.Understand the strengths and limitations of the current treatment approaches for radial nerve palsy associated with humeral shaft fractures.3.Become familiar with the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of operative and nonoperative treatment for radial nerve palsy associated with humeral shaft fractures.4.Understand when operative or nonoperative management of radial nerve palsy associated with humeral shaft fractures may be appropriate.The optimal treatment approach for the initial management of radial nerve palsy associated with humeral shaft fractures has yet to be conclusively determined. The authors performed a systematic review of the literature to identify studies that compared the outcomes after initial nonoperative and operative management for radial nerve palsy associated with acute humeral shaft fractures. A meta-analysis of the data from these studies was also performed to determine whether recovery from radial nerve palsy was more favorable in one approach compared with the other. The primary outcome was recovery from radial nerve palsy and the secondary outcome was complaints after treatment. Nine articles (1 prospective observational and 8 retrospective) were included in the meta-analyses. Operative management showed no improved recovery from radial nerve palsy compared with nonoperative management. Nonoperative management was associated with a decreased risk of complaints relative to operative management. Recovery from radial nerve palsy associated with acute humeral shaft fractures is not influenced by the initial management approach.     

The management of humeral shaft fractures with associated radial nerve palsy: a review of 117 cases

Patients and methods  

This single center retrospective study reviews the management and outcomes of 117 consecutive patients with humeral shaft fractures and associated radial nerve palsy (RNP) treated over a 20-year period (1986–2006). A total of 101 fractures were managed conservatively and 16 fractures underwent external fixation for poor bony alignment. Sixteen grade 1 and 2 open fractures underwent wound toileting alone. No patients underwent initial radial nerve exploration or opening of the fracture sites.     

Radial nerve transection after ballistic humeral shaft fractures: A retrospective cohort study

IntroductionRadial nerve palsy following fracture of the humeral shaft is common. However, the incidence of nerve transection in the setting of ballistic trauma is unknown. The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence of radial nerve transection after ballistic fracture of the humerus.MethodsPatients presenting to an urban, level-1 trauma center with a ballistic fracture of the humeral shaft were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, clinical exam on presentation, and operative data were reviewed to determine the incidence of radial nerve palsy on initial examination, the incidence of operative treatment, the incidence of how frequently the nerve was directly visualized, and the incidence of radial nerve transection.ResultsOne-hundred and thirteen ballistic humeral shaft fractures were identified. Of these, 30 (26.5%) patients had a complete radial nerve palsy on exam. Of patients with a radial nerve palsy, on exam 20 were taken to the operating room and the nerve was visualized in 17 of those cases. There 2 were partially lacerated nerves and 12 nerves were completely transected. Thus, in patients with a complete nerve deficit on examination who underwent operative treatment with nerve exploration, the rate of nerve transection was 70.6%. The lower bound rate of nerve transection for all patients with radial nerve palsy (assuming all unexplored nerves were intact) was 40.0%.ConclusionThe rate of nerve transection in patients with humerus shaft fractures with associated radial nerve palsies is likely higher than the rate of nerve transection in similar injuries caused by blunt mechanisms. The authors recommend early exploration and fixation of these injuries.     

Skeletal management of humeral shaft fractures associated with forearm fractures

Nine cases of ipsilateral humeral shaft and forearm fractures in multiply injured patients were reviewed in an attempt to ascertain the preferred management of these complex injuries. Satisfactory anatomic and functional results were achieved only in those cases treated by rigid internal fixation of the humeral fractures. Nonoperative management is associated with a significant risk of malunion or nonunion of the humerus.     

Management of radial nerve injury associated with humeral shaft fractures: an evidence-based approach

Injury to the radial nerve is not uncommonly associated with fractures of the humerus. Despite a considerable amount of information and literature regarding management of these associated injuries, a universally accepted algorithm for treatment remains elusive. This article assimilates the data and provides evidence-based recommendations regarding treatment.     

肱骨干骨折合并桡神经损伤一期桡神经探查与保守治疗的疗效比较

目的 比较肱骨干骨折合并桡神经损伤一期桡神经探查与保守治疗的疗效.方法 1995年3月至2005年10月共收治且有完整随访资料的86例肱骨干骨折合并桡神经损伤患者,男63例,女23例;年龄15～66岁,平均34.0岁.根据对桡神经损伤治疗方法的不同分为两组,其中一期桡神经探查（A组）52例,一期保守治疗（B组）34例,比较两组患者的神经功能恢复时间及恢复率.结果 86例患者术后获6～103个月（平均31.2个月）随访.A组52例中有4例（7.7%）需二次手术;最终50例（96.2%）神经功能完全恢复,1例（1.9%）部分恢复,1例（1.9%）无恢复.B组34例中30例（88.2%）神经功能自发性恢复,4例（11.8%）需二期神经探查;最终33例（97.1%）神经功能完全恢复,1例（2.9%）部分恢复.两组神经功能恢复率比较差异无统计学意义（x2=0.050,P=1.000）.A组神经功能开始恢复时间及完全恢复时间平均分别为（5.3±4.1）、（14.7±8.2）周,B组分别为（4.5±3.9）、（11.6±8.7）周,两组比较差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）.结论 肱骨干骨折合并桡神经损伤选择保守治疗与一期神经探查具有相当的神经功能恢复率,桡神经损伤不影响肱骨干骨折治疗方式的选择,对闭合性肱骨干骨折合并的桡神经损伤采取保守治疗是一种良好的选择.     

Radial nerve palsy

The anatomy of the radial nerve, functional loss from nerve damage at various levels, timing of tendon transfers, choices of tendon motors for transfer, and operative and postoperative management have been discussed. My preference of transfers for complete radial nerve palsy is: (table: see text).     

Hypoplasia of bilateral humeral trochlea associated with bilateral ulnar nerve palsy

We document a case of bilateral ulnar nerve palsy that developed in an 27-year-old Japanese man who had bilateral hypoplasia of the humeral trochlea. Surgical management produced good results regarding the ulnar nerve palsy. The pathogenesis of the nerve paresis in this particular condition is discussed. There have been no reports outside Japan. Whether this deformity occurs only in persons of Japanese extraction or is simply overlooked by foreign surgeons is an interesting question. Received: 17 May 1999     

微创旋入钉内固定技术治疗伴桡神经麻痹的肱骨干中下段骨折

目的：总结微创旋入钉内固定技术在治疗伴桡神经麻痹的肱骨干中、下段骨折的应用效果。方法：自2004年1月至2008年1月,收治36倒伴桡神经麻痹的肱骨干中、下段骨折患者。其中男28例,女8例;年龄20～58岁,平均36．5岁。致伤原因：机械伤18例,交通伤8例,意外伤10例,均为闭合性骨折。根据AO分型：A1型5例,A2型7例,B1型8例,B2型7例,B3型5例,C3型4例。于骨折部位外侧做小切口,探查桡神经后,复位骨折。经肩峰外侧做小切口,分开三角肌,于大结节后侧开槽,顺行用髓腔钻扩髓,挑选合适旋入钉旋入髓腔远端,沿槽口打入锁片完成固定。记录术后并发症、骨折愈合时间、桡神经功能恢复时间、肩关节和肘关节屈伸范围。采用ASES肩关节和HSS肘关节评分标准评价疗效.结果：36例患者切口均Ⅰ期愈合。获随访9-36周,平均18．5周。骨折愈合时间12～16周,平均为15．6周。桡神经功能术后12～36周完全恢复,平均17．8周。肩关节外展150°～170°,平均160°;肘关节活动范围130°～140°,平均135°。肩关节功能根据ASES评分标准,由术前的（43．85±8．90）分上升至术后的（91．27±7．66）分,差异有统计学意义（t=24．238,P=0．000）,其中优20例,良12例,可4例;肘关节根据HSS评分标准,由术前的（39．97±16．06）分上升至术后的（96．22±3．59）分,差异有统计学意义（t=20．512,P=0．000）,36例均为优。结论：采用微创旋入钉内固定技术治疗伴桡神经麻痹的肱骨干中、下段骨折可获得良好效果。     

Management of humeral shaft fractures

Humeral shaft fractures account for approximately 3% of all fractures. Nonsurgical management of humeral shaft fractures with functional bracing gained popularity in the 1970s, and this method is arguably the standard of care for these fractures. Still, surgical management is indicated in certain situations, including polytraumatic injuries, open fractures, vascular injury, ipsilateral articular fractures, floating elbow injuries, and fractures that fail nonsurgical management. Surgical options include external fixation, open reduction and internal fixation, minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis, and antegrade or retrograde intramedullary nailing. Each of these techniques has advantages and disadvantages, and the rate of fracture union may vary based on the technique used. A relatively high incidence of radial nerve injury has been associated with surgical management of humeral shaft fractures. However, good surgical outcomes can be achieved with proper patient selection.