FESSH prep Compressive neuropathies Traumatic radial nerve injury

Radial nerve palsy following humeral shaft fractures

Last reviewed v1.0

FESSH-011Compressive neuropathies●●○ intermediate

Regarding radial nerve palsy following fractures of the humeral shaft.

  1. 1.The Holstein–Lewis fracture — a spiral fracture of the distal third of the humeral shaft — has a higher rate of associated radial nerve palsy than other humeral-shaft fracture patterns.

  2. 2.In closed fractures, neuropraxia is the most common nerve injury; in open fractures, neurotmesis is more common.

  3. 3.Iatrogenic radial nerve palsy occurs more commonly after posterior than anterolateral approach for humeral-shaft open reduction and internal fixation.

  4. 4.Spontaneous recovery of nerve function is often observed around 7 weeks, with full recovery by approximately 6 months.

  5. 5.Surgical exploration is indicated in open fractures and in closed fractures that do not show improvement within 4–6 months.

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Question ID
FESSH-011
First published
Last reviewed
Version
v1.0