Median nerve injuries associated with supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.

If not specifically examined for median nerve function, partial injury associated with supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children will go unrecognized. These injuries occur in as high as 5% of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. The 6 patients reported here as well as many cases described in the orthopedic literature present evidence that special exercises and supportive care are important as soon as the fracture is healed. Functional return may be seen as long as 4 to 5 months following supracondylar fracture, and exploration should be delayed at least that long in this type of peripheral nerve injury.