Combined radial and median nerve injury in diaphysea fracture of humerus： a case report

Radial nerve palsy is the most common neurological involvement in humeral shaft fractures.But combined radial and median nerve injury in a closed diaphyseal fracture of the humerus is rare.Combined injury to both radial and median nerve can cause significant disability.A detailed clinical examination is therefore necessary following humeral shaft fractures.We report a patient with closed diaphyseal humeral fracture （AO 12A-2.3） together with radial and median nerve palsy,its management and review of the literature.As the patient had two nerves involved,surgical exploration was planned.Fracture was reduced and fixed with a 4.5 mm narrow dynamic compression pla te.There was no external injury to both radial and median nerves on surgical exploration.Neurological recovery started at 3 weeks＇ follow-up.Complete recovery was seen at 12 weeks.Careful clinical examination is of the utmost importance in early diagnosis of combined nerve injuries,which allows better management and rehabilitation of the patient.