| Abstract: | 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. |
