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Case Reports
. 2022 Sep 24;14(9):e29524.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.29524. eCollection 2022 Sep.

Isolated Nerve Palsy of the Flexor Pollicis Longus After a Radial Shaft Fracture: A Case Report

Benjamin R Campbell  1 , Steven A Caruso  1 , Mitchell K Freedman  1 , Justin M Kistler  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Isolated Nerve Palsy of the Flexor Pollicis Longus After a Radial Shaft Fracture: A Case Report

Benjamin R Campbell et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

We present the case of a patient who developed an isolated palsy of the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) branch of the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) following a fracture of the right radial shaft. The diagnosis of AIN palsy in this setting is rare, especially involving partial neuropathies of only the FPL branch. Clinical presentation in this scenario can be mistaken for other musculoskeletal pathology, and electrodiagnostic studies can be helpful in confirming the diagnosis.

Keywords: anterior interosseous nerve; anterior interosseous nerve palsy; electrodiagnostic studies; fpl branch of the anterior interosseous nerve; galeazzi fracture.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Preoperative anteroposterior (AP) and lateral view X-rays of the right forearm demonstrating distal-third radial shaft fracture and associated ulnar styloid fracture
Figure 2
Figure 2. Postoperative anteroposterior (AP) and lateral view X-rays of the right forearm following open reduction internal fixation of a distal-third radial shaft fracture
Figure 3
Figure 3. Coronal T2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the right hand demonstrating mildly increased signal at the base of the thumb proximal phalanx, but no overt evidence of FPL rupture
Figure 4
Figure 4. Anteroposterior (AP) and lateral view X-rays of the right forearm demonstrating full healing of radial shaft fracture six months postoperatively
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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