[The significance of nerve damage in upper arm fractures]

Lesions of the nerves are a relatively frequent complication after humeral shaft fractures, the nerve most commonly affected being the radial nerve. In the case of proximal fractures of the humerus, particularly dislocation fractures and luxated fractures, lesion of the axillary nerve and irritation of the plexus, are most frequent. In distal humeral fractures the ulnar nerve is most frequently first place and shows a serious complication. The therapy of the fracture must differ in most of these cases from conventional procedure. We believe that primary paresis of the radial nerve is a relative indication for surgery and secondary paresis of the radial nerve, an absolute indication for operation. When we find a subcapital humeral shaft fracture with rare paresis of the nervus axillaris we wait with an operation, but if remission does not occur within approximately 8 weeks a revision should be done. Fracture luxations with irritation of the plexus are an acute indication for operation, because repositioning or displacement of the head fragment can afford relief.