title: Superficial radial nerve damage due to Kirschner wiring of the radius.
abstract: For displaced fractures of the radius, the use of Kirschner wires (K Wires) is accepted practice either alone or to supplement external fixation. Complications related to K wires include infection, migration and damage to tendons and nerves. We set out to investigate to incidence of superficial radial nerve damage due to radial styloid K wires. Injury to the sensory branch of the superficial radial nerve was seen in eight (20%) out of the 40 patients. K wiring is a popular technique to help maintain anatomic reduction of distal radial fractures. It has the advantage of being a semi-closed procedure, which is simple to perform. However, the morbidity of nerve damage is often underestimated and can be avoided.
authors.affiliation: 7 Ardmay Gardens, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 4SW, South West Thames Orthopaedic Rotation, UK. sameer.singh@virgin.net
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Trikha
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Twyman
mesh_terms: D001864:Bone Wires / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000209:etiology; D009463:Neuroma / Q000209:etiology; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000293:injuries*; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery*