CONSTRICTIVE PARALYSIS OF THE POSTERIOR INTEROSSEOUS NERVE WITHOUT EXTERNAL COMPRESSION

Four cases of constrictive neuropathy of the posterior interosseous ne rve (PIN) in the absence of external compression are reported, All pat ients presented with a history of severe elbow pain,with no apparent c ause, followed by paralysis of the PIN, There were one or two well-loc alized constrictions on the PIN proximal to the arcade of Frohse where no obvious external compressive structure was observed. After epineur otomy with or without neurorrhaphy, three patients had a complete retu rn of motor function within 1 year, The remaining patient required ten don transfer after resection of the abnormal segment of nerve.