Radial nerve palsy in the newborn combined with congenital radial head dislocation: Case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Radial nerve palsy in the newborn and congenital radial head dislocation (CRHD) are both rare disorders, and early diagnosis is challenging. We reported a case of an infant with concurrent presence of these 2 diseases and provide a comprehensive review of the relevant literature. The purpose of the study is to share diagnostic and treatment experiences and provide potentially valuable insights.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A newborn has both radial nerve palsy and CRHD, characterized by limited wrist and fingers extension but normal flexion, normal shoulder and elbow movement on the affected side, characteristic skin lesions around the elbow, and an "audible click" at the radial head. The patient achieved significant improvement solely through physical therapy and observation.

DIAGNOSES

The patient was diagnosed with radial nerve palsy in the newborn combined with CRHD.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient received regular physical therapy including joint function training, low-frequency pulse electrical therapy, acupuncture, paraffin treatment, as well as overnight splint immobilization.

OUTCOMES

The child could actively extend the wrist to a neutral position and extend all fingers.

LESSONS

If a neonate exhibits limited extension in the wrist and fingers, but normal flexion, along with normal shoulder and elbow movement, and is accompanied by skin lesions around the elbow, there should be a high suspicion of radial nerve palsy in the newborn.

A Tale of Two Foxes - Case Reports: 1. Radial Nerve Paralysis Treated with Acupuncture in a Wild Fox 2. Acupuncture in a Fox with Aggressive and Obsessive Behaviour

Case 1

This is believed to be the first report of acupuncture treatment for traumatic radial nerve paralysis in a wild fox. From the first treatment, improvement in the range of mobility and sensation of the limb was evident. Additionally, the attitude of this wild animal changed from fear and aggression to complete cooperation: he lay peacefully during every treatment in a calm, drowsy state.

Case 2

This reports the calming effects of acupuncture on a fox which had been showing aggressive behaviour and obsessive circling following toxoplasma infection.

[Not Available]

Zusammenfassung. Obwohl der laterale Ellbogenschmerz viele mögliche Ursachen hat, wird er immer noch zu oft reflexartig mit dem Tennisarm gleichgesetzt. Zwei aktuelle Studien zeigen jedoch, dass 75 % der Patienten mit chronischem, lateralem Ellbogenschmerz unter einer Ellbogeninstabilität und nicht einem Tennisarm leiden. Der vorliegende Mini-Review soll die wichtigsten Differenzialdiagnosen des lateralen Ellbogenschmerzes in Ursache, Diagnostik, Behandlungsansatz sowie «pitfalls» und «red flags» beleuchten.

Posterior interosseous neuropathy in the distal radial tunnel in a contrabassoon musician

OBJECTIVE

Bassoonists seem to have a high recorded prevalence of performance-related upper limb symptoms. Yet, the background for their symptoms has not been established. This study aimed to diagnose and treat the pathology that caused severe upper limb symptoms in a bassoon/contrabassoon musician in order to allow him to continue his professional career in a symphony orchestra.

METHODS

A detailed neurological bedside examination was undertaken and targeted physiotherapy offered.

RESULTS

The physical examination demonstrated weakness, atrophy, and nerve trunk soreness, indicating an affliction of the posterior interosseous nerve (radial tunnel syndrome) or its muscular branches. The risk factors during bassoon playing are comparable to those reported from industrial exposures. The patient was able to resume playing after treatment by nerve mobilisation.

Management of radial tunnel syndrome: a therapist's clinical perspective

Current best evidence for the conservative management of radial tunnel syndrome (RTS) consists primarily of expert opinion and inferences taken from studies on other nerve compressions and related syndromes. There are limited data reported in the literature of this particular disorder. This article reviews literature on modalities, therapeutic exercise, ergonomic interventions, and cortical reorganization, and how they may be considered for intervention with RTS. The author's preferred method of treatment, as based on theoretical constructs, for RTS is presented. Definitive evidence in the literature to support the conservative interventions suggested is lacking. Suggestions for clinical management and study are included in this therapist's clinical perspective.

Compression neuropathies of the upper extremity

Nerve compression syndromes of the upper extremity occur at predicable locations. The diagnosis of nerve compression or nerve entrapment is based on the neurologic and electrodiagnostic examinations. The anatomy, neurophysiology, and electrodiagnosis of nerve compression are discussed. Common and uncommon compression and entrapment syndromes of the upper extremity are described. Errors in diagnosis occur when the neurologic or electrodiagnostic examinations are incomplete or inaccurate.

Acupuncture Treatment of Compression Neuropathy of the Radial Nerve: A Single Case Report of "Saturday Night Palsy"

PURPOSE

Evidence that acupuncture is effective for any type of motor nerve injury is limited to case reports and case series but these findings indicate benefit. Observation that the radial nerve has the most rapid recovery of all peripheral nerves suggests that acupuncture might benefit treatment of "Saturday Night Palsy," a syndrome of radial-nerve compression.

TREATMENT

A 41-year-old female with a 1-week history of inability to write or extend the right wrist received 1 acupuncture treatment utilizing the Lung and Large Intestine meridians in the forearm, with the 2 meridians interconnected using the Luo and Yuan points. A cockup wrist splint was then applied.

CONCLUSIONS

Wrist motion with gravity neutralized returned immediately after treatment. As the day progressed, the patient reported increasing strength in wrist and finger extension. The next day, the patient cancelled the second acupuncture treatment, as her hand had recovered. Examination 4 months later revealed normal wrist and finger extension, sensation, and return of the brachioradialis reflex. The patient was symptom-free 1-year postinjury. Acupuncture potentially facilitates recovery and may enhance treatment of peripheral motor nerve injury.

[Anatomical and clinical study of the supinator syndrome evoked embitterment test]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mechanism and feasibility of the supinator syndrome evoked embitterment test from anatomy and clinic.

METHODS

25 cases of The supinator syndrome were reviewed. 18 of them were male and 7 were female. Drop finger deformation were apparent in 25 cases and The supinator syndrome evoked embitterment test was positive for All patients. Operative neurolysis was done in 8 cases, conservation treatment 17 cases; 92 cadaver upper extremities were dissected for a study the relationship between supinator tunnel and posterior interosseous nerve.

RESULTS

22 cases had been followed up for an average of 9 months. 16 cases had a full recovery and 6 cases, a partial recovery. the anatomical study shows that The posterior interosseous nerve was compressed by Forhse arcade and the distal border of the supinator muscle during passive pronation forearm.

CONCLUSION

The supinator syndrome evoked embitterment test was a new test for the diagnosis of supinator syndrome, it was found to be more sensitive and specific than the others test.

Factors associated with prognosis of lateral epicondylitis after 8 weeks of physical therapy

OBJECTIVE

To identify key factors associated with outcomes of patients who underwent 8 weeks of physical therapy (PT) for lateral epicondylitis.

DESIGN

Multicenter prospective design with inception cohort of lateral epicondylitis patients commencing PT. Baseline clinical examinations were conducted by 1 physical therapist; self-report outcome measures were completed at baseline and 8 weeks later.

SETTING

Nine private sports medicine clinics and 2 hospital outpatient departments in Ontario, Canada.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-three patients with unilateral lateral epicondylitis identified by the treating physical therapists.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The final scores of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and a vertical pain visual analog scale (VAS) were used as the dependent variables.

RESULTS

The final prognostic model for the 8-week DASH scores included the baseline score (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34-0.66), sex (female) (95% CI, 3.3-14.5), and self-reported nerve symptoms (95% CI, 0.8-13.8). The model for the 8-week VAS scores included the baseline score (95% CI, 0.01-0.37), sex (female) (95% CI, 0.4-18.2), and self-reported nerve symptoms (95% CI, 4.7-25.5). A subanalysis indicated that women were more likely than men to have work-related onsets, repetitive keyboarding jobs, and cervical joint signs. Among women, these factors were associated with higher final DASH and VAS scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Women and patients who report nerve symptoms are more likely to experience a poorer short-term outcome after PT management of lateral epicondylitis. Work-related onsets, repetitive keyboarding jobs, and cervical joint signs have a prognostic influence on women.

Rapid nerve recovery following decompression--a case of post-traumatic axonamonosis

We report a humeral fracture associated with complete radial nerve palsy, where immediate nerve recovery followed decompression. This uncommon type of nerve lesion is referred to as axonamonosis and is not included in the traditional Seddon nerve injury classification.

[Persistent radial palsy after humeral diaphyseal fracture: cause, treatment, and results. 30 operated cases]

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Radial palsy is a serious complication of humeral shaft fractures. The risk results from the anatomic position of the radial nerve which turns around the distal portion of the humeral shaft, in contact with the bone. As a rule, radial palsy regresses spontaneously, but in a few cases surgery may be required to achieve neurological recovery. We conducted a retrospective study of thirty cases of radial palsy after humeral fracture treated surgically. Our objective was to define causes of non-recovery and assess therapeutic efficacy, searching for the characteristic features of the fractures involved.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We limited our analysis to post-humeral fracture radial palsies, which were operated due to the absence of neurological recovery. We recorded the type of fracture, treatment used to achieve bone healing, surgical approach, and type of radial nerve surgery. The series included 30 patients, predominantly male, mean age 38.4 years. The fractures were situated in the middle or lower third of the humeral shaft. Most were spiral fractures. Plate fixation (30%) or nailing (33%) were generally used for fixation. There were six cases of iatrogenic palsy, all after plate fixation. A revision procedure was required in one-third of the cases due to nonunion. Exploration of the radial nerve demonstrated compression at the intermuscular septum in one-third of the cases and a direct conflict with the fixation plate in one-fifth of the cases. Neurolysis was required in 23 cases, nerve grafts in five and first-intention tendon transfer in two.

RESULTS

Results of nerve surgery were assessed with the Alnot classification at a mean follow-up of 6.3 years. Outcome was rated good or very good in 22 patients, fair in one and poor (failure) in three. First-intention tendon transfers were performed in two patients and two patients were lost to follow-up. Mean delay to recovery was seven months after neurolysis and fifteen months after nerve grafts.

DISCUSSION

Our experience and data in the literature suggest that several factors could be involved in persistent radial palsy after humeral shaft fracture. The greatest risk of radial nerve injury or absence of recovery after the primary lesion is encountered after fracture of the lower third of the humerus, spiral fracture, and plate fixation. Particular features observed in our series were nonunion and compression in the intermuscular septum.

Treatment of humeral shaft fractures by closed fixation using multiple intramedullary Kirschner wires

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study is to present the results of closed fixation of humeral shaft fractures with multiple intramedullary Kirschner wires.

METHODS

Twenty-nine humeral shaft fractures in patients 14 to 60 years old were treated by closed fixation with multiple intramedullary Kirschner wires. Each patient was placed supine on the table and was administered general anesthesia. The fractured arm was held vertically up by a transolecranon traction, while the C-arm was kept parallel to the ground and opposite to the affected arm. A cortical window was created approximately 1.5 cm proximal to the olecranon fossa, after splitting the triceps. Under fluoroscopic control, multiple Kirschner wires were introduced retrograde therein, into the medullary cavity, to reach the humeral head. The wire tips were kept splayed to stabilize the fracture. Postoperatively, the limb was supported by an arm sling.

RESULTS

Twenty-five fractures (86.4%) healed with excellent clinical and functional results, in an average of 11 weeks. Union was delayed in two patients, and one fracture had a nonunion after repeated trauma. Movements at the shoulder and the elbow were excellent to good in 27 patients (93%), whereas 2 patients (6.8%) had significant limitation of extension at the elbow.

CONCLUSION

This technique has been found simple and effective in providing a stable fixation of transverse and short oblique fractures of the humeral diaphysis. Further study is required to evaluate this procedure in more extensive fracture patterns, as well as to compare the results with other methods of internal fixation.

Radial tunnel release and tennis elbow: disappointing results?

In a retrospective study, 19 patients with 20 decompressions of the posterior interosseous nerve for radial tunnel syndrome were reviewed. The results were evaluated using Roles and Maudsley's criteria; they were found to be consistent with those previously reported: i.e. 75% favorable outcomes. Despite this finding only 8 patients (40%) stated they were satisfied. The main reason was residual pain. Shorter delay between the onset of symptoms and surgical treatment as well as simultaneous release of the lateral epicondylar muscles was found to influence positively patient satisfaction. These findings suggest that the scoring system used in the present study and also in previous studies is inappropriate. They also cast some doubt on the role of compression of the posterior interosseous nerve in the pathogenesis of chronic lateral elbow pain.