Lesión alta de nervio radial crónica tratada con epineurolisis y transferencia tendinosa: reporte de caso

Abstract

High radial nerve injury affects the radial nerve above the elbow, compromising wrist extension, finger movement, and thumb abduction. It leads to motor and sensory deficits, such as loss of sensation in the forearm and the back of the hand. Humeral fractures are the most common traumatic injuries to the radial nerve, with a prevalence of 2% to 18% in humeral diaphysis fractures. Although spontaneous recovery occurs in 73% to 92% of cases, epineurolysis and tendon transfers are essential in chronic cases to restore motor function. Case presentation: A 70-year-old male patient presented with severe pain and loss of mobility in the fingers of the left hand following a humeral fracture, nonunion, and radial nerve injury of 3 years duration. Epineurolysis was performed to relieve the compressed nerve, and tendon transfers were carried out to restore motor function. Conclusion: The combination of epineurolysis and tendon transfer in the management of chronic high radial nerve injury showed positive results, improving the patient's mobility and reducing pain. This surgical approach, along with postoperative rehabilitation, significantly restores hand function, enhancing the patient's quality of life.