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Anterior interosseous nerve palsy following closed fracture of the proximal ulna

A case report and review of the literature

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Summary

Complete paralysis of the anterior interosseous nerve was seen in 32-year-old army officer 5 weeks after he sustained a minimally displaced fracture of the proximal ulna. The fracture was immobilized in an arm cast. Thirteen weeks after injury, the cast was removed following evidence of bone union. Complete recovery of the flexor pollicis longus was noted 17 weeks after the injury, while recovery of the flexor profundus to the index finger to grade four lasted 10 months. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the English language literature in which anterior interosseous nerve palsy follows isolated fracture of the proximal ulna.

Zusammenfassung

Eine vollständige Lähmung des Nervus interosseus anterior wurde bei einem 32jährigem Armee-Offizier 5 Wochen nach einer wenig dislozierten Fraktur der proximalen Ulna beobachtet. 13 Wochen nach der Verletzung zeigte die Ulnafraktur knöchernen Durchbau und der Gipsverband wurde entfernt. 17 Wochen nach der Verletzung hatte sich die Lähmung des Musculus flexor pollicis longus vollständig erholt, während die Erholung (bis Grad 4) des Musculus flexor profunduns am Zeigefinger 10 Monate dauerte. Nach unserem Wissen ist dies der erste in der englischsprachigen Literatur berichtete Fall von Lähmung des Nervus interosseus anterior im Anschluß an einen isolierten Bruch der proximalen Ulna.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics A, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, 70300, Zerifin, Beer Yaakov, Israel

    Y. Mirovsky, D. Hendel & N. Halperin

Authors
  1. Y. Mirovsky
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  2. D. Hendel
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  3. N. Halperin
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Mirovsky, Y., Hendel, D. & Halperin, N. Anterior interosseous nerve palsy following closed fracture of the proximal ulna. Arch. Orth. Traum. Surg. 107, 61–64 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00463528

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00463528

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