The assessment and treatment of nerve dysfunction after trauma around the elbow

Nerve dysfunction after trauma around the elbow can lead to significant lon g-term pain and functional deficit. Fortunately, most of these injuries are neurapraxias that will recover spontaneously after conservative treatment. The necessity and time frame for surgical intervention for specific patter ns of nerve dysfunction remains controversial, Often surgical exploration e xacerbates rather than alleviates the presenting nerve problem. Distal hume ral shaft fractures, elbow dislocations, Monteggia fracture-dislocations, s upracondylar fractures in children, and proximal forearm trauma all have be en associated with various tapes of nerve injuries with a variable degree o f recovery. The early recognition of nerve dysfunction combined with approp riate treatment measures is the key to successful outcome.