INTERNAL FIXATION OF BONE AND NEURORRHAPHY

Combined Lesions of Radial Nerves and Humerus Fractures

¹ Medical Corps, Army of the United States

1. Eight cases of compound fracture of the humerus with radial-nerve laceration were treated by neurorrhaphy and bone shortening within an average of sixty days of the injury.

2. Bony union was complete in all cases.

3. Nerve regeneration was progressing satisfactorily in all cases, but was complete in only two at the time the patients were last seen. The importance of early and adequate galvanic stimulation of paralyzed muscles is stressed.

4. No ill effects are demonstrable from shortening of the humerus up to one-fifth of its length.

5. Early nerve suture is of paramount importance.

6. When suture necessitates prohibitive tension on the nerve, either at operation or during postoperative stretching, concomitant bone shortening in the arm is feasible. At present, this is considered preferable to tendon transplantation in the forearm at a later date.

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