Treatment of radial neuropathy associated with fractures of the humerus.

Twenty-four humeral-shaft fractures with associated radial-nerve injuries in twenty-three patients with adequate follow-up were seen over a fifteen-year period. Initial treatment was closed in all but one patient, in whom débridement of an open fracture revealed a lacerated radial nerve. All patients had complete return of radial-nerve function. Two of the twenty-four nerve lesions were treated by delayed operation: one at fourteen weeks for entrapment in fracture callus, and the other at six weeks for repair of the aforementioned lacerated radial nerve. Thus, only 8 per cent of the patients required exploration of the nerve, all of whom did well after delayed repair. We recommend careful observation for return of nerve function and exploration at three and a half to four months after injury if there is still no clinical or electromyographic evidence of recovery at that time.