Radial nerve injury

Abstract

Radial nerve palsy in the child can be attributed to a variety of traumatic causes, including humeral shaft, supracondylar humerus, and Monteggia fractures, as well as congenital and pathologic etiologies. Most pediatric injuries to the radial nerve have a favorable prognosis with observation, protective splinting, and therapy. Patients who fail to recover neurologic function after 3–6 months, however, require surgical exploration for neurolysis, nerve repair, or nerve grafting. Primary repair has better outcomes than grafting or nerve transfers, provided that a well-vascularized tissue bed is available and minimal tension is placed on the repair.