Unusual Posterior Interosseous Nerve Palsy follwing Monteggia Fractures: Report of two Cases

• Published in: Orthopedics & Traumatology Vol. 33; no. 3; pp. 904 - 907
• Main Authors: Kiyuna, Osamu, Kayo, Munetoshi, Ibaraki, Kunio, Arakaki, Akira, Matsumoto, Satoru, Kuniyoshi, Shinya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: West-Japanese Society of Orthopedics & Traumatology 1985
• ISSN: 0037-1033; 1349-4333
• DOI: 10.5035/nishiseisai.33.904

Two cases of posterior interosseous nerve palsy following Monteggia fractures are reported in 2 boys, aged eight and ten years. They had been treated for simple ulnar fractures for six months before they visited our clinic, where they complained of disturbance in extension of their left fingers. During operation, posterior interosseous nerve was found to be translocated to the dorsoulnar side of radial head which was dislocated anterolaterally. The nerve formed a neuroma at the site of entrapment between the radius and the ulna, and peripheral degeneration of posterior interosseous nerve was recognized. The malpositioned annular ligament and the joint capsule prevented the reduction of the radial head. It is suggested that, irreversible posterior interosseous nerve palsy occurs very rarely following Monteggia fracture where the radial nerve is entrapped between the radius and the ulna.