Acute Combined Median and Radial Nerve Palsies after Distal Humeral Shaft Fracture

We report a case of a 29-year-old man who presented with a distal humeral shaft fracture sustained by blunt trauma. Physicalexamination and nerve conduction study were consistent with injury to the median and radial nerves proximal to theelbow. The patient underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the humeral shaft fracture with neurolysis of the medianand radial nerves. Repeat electromyography at 6 months postoperatively showed recruitment of motor units in all musclessampled, in keeping with clinical improvement. At 16 months follow-up, the patient was full strength in all muscle groups,was back to all activities with no restrictions, and was discharged from follow-up. Our case describes clinical improvementafter surgical intervention in a patient with combined median and radial nerve palsies following distal humeral shaft fracture.