Peripheral nerve compression neuropathy after fractures of the distal radius

Sixty patients with unilateral distal radius fractures were managed conservatively. Clinical assessment included objective and subjective evaluations of the outcome of treatment. Radiographic evaluation included fracture classification using the AO/ASIF system and measurement of volar tilt, radial inclination and radial height shortening at the end of treatment. Clinical signs of carpal tunnel syndrome were confirmed electrodiagnostically in 12 patients (20%) during the recovery period. Each patient had electrodiagnostic studies of both upper limbs performed to confirm the diagnosis. The mean time between injury and the onset of symptoms was 10 months (range 6.5 weeks–27 months). A statistically significant correlation between the final clinical results of treatment and post-traumatic median nerve compression neuropathy was found, but the occurrence of the neuropathy correlated with neither fracture type nor with the final radiographic findings. No clinical signs of ulnar or radial nerve compression occurred in this study.