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. Physical examination and nerve conduction study were consistent with injury to the median and radial nerves proximal to the elbow. The patient underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the humeral shaft fracture with neurolysis of the median and radial nerves. Repeat electromyography at 6 months postoperatively showed recruitment of motor units in all muscles sampled, 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 improvement after surgical intervention in a patient with combined median and radial nerve palsies following distal humeral shaft fracture.