Combined median and ulnar nerve palsy complicating distal radius fractures

Background: Fractures of the distal radius only rarely give rise to complications in the immediate postoperative period. Combined median and ulnar nerve palsy is a complication that can be missed by the surgeon.

Materials and methods: Three cases diagnosed early after surgery are reported here. The patients were 15, 16, and 30 years of age, respectively. None had preoperative neurological deficits. The youngest patient was injured during sports and the other 2 patients during traffic accidents. All 3 patients had a displaced fracture of the distal radius combined with a fracture of the distal fourth of the ulna or ulnar styloid process and were treated by anterior plate fixation. Operative times were 47, 62, and 120minutes, respectively. Compartment syndrome was ruled out based on low pain intensity and absence of forearm tightness to palpation.

Results: The electrophysiological study performed 1 month post-injury in all 3 patients showed severe impairments of both median and ulnar nerve function. Median and ulnar nerve release surgery was performed in the 15-year-old 6 weeks post-injury. No nerve damage or fibrosis was seen during the procedure. All patients recovered fully within 3 months and had normal findings from follow-up electrophysiology testing after 6 months.

Discussion: Combined median and ulnar nerve palsy has rarely been reported and is among the rare complications of distal radial fractures that can develop in the event of a high-energy trauma and/or major displacement. Both previously published data and our experience indicate that surgical nerve release is unnecessary. Clinical recovery within 3 months is the rule.

Level of evidence: IV, case-reports.