Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 4, 2025

Therapy Interventions for Upper Limb Amputees Undergoing Selective Nerve Transfers
07:59

Therapy Interventions for Upper Limb Amputees Undergoing Selective Nerve Transfers

Published on: October 29, 2021

3.8K

Current concepts in diagnosis and management of common upper limb nerve injuries in children

Nunzio Catena1, Giovanni Luigi Di Gennaro2, Andrea Jester3

  • 1Hand Surgery and Microsurgery Unit - Pediatric Orthopedic and Traumatology Unit - Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy.

Journal of Children'S Orthopaedics
|May 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Diagnosing closed peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) in children can be challenging. This article offers guidance on managing pediatric upper limb PNI, distinguishing it from adult treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Orthopedics
  • Neurology
  • Traumatology

Background:

  • Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) are common in children, often associated with fractures and soft tissue damage.
  • Diagnosing closed PNI in pediatric patients can be difficult due to challenges in clinical assessment, compounded by pain and anxiety.
  • While most pediatric PNIs are neuroapraxias with spontaneous recovery, uncertainties exist regarding optimal management for closed injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze key aspects of closed peripheral nerve injuries in the upper limb in children.
  • To provide recommendations for the timely and accurate management of pediatric upper limb PNI.
  • To identify differences in PNI treatment approaches between pediatric and adult populations.

Main Methods:

  • Review and analysis of current literature on pediatric upper limb peripheral nerve injuries.
  • Evaluation of diagnostic challenges and clinical assessment techniques in children.
  • Comparison of management strategies, including electrophysiological testing and surgical intervention timing, for pediatric versus adult PNI.

Main Results:

  • Delayed diagnosis of closed PNI in children is a significant concern due to assessment limitations.
  • Specific criteria for electrophysiological examination and observation periods for spontaneous recovery in pediatric PNI require further clarification.
  • Treatment decisions for pediatric PNI, particularly regarding surgical intervention, may differ from adult protocols.

Conclusions:

  • Standardized guidelines are needed for the diagnosis and management of closed peripheral nerve injuries in the pediatric upper limb.
  • Further research should focus on optimizing electrodiagnostic strategies and determining appropriate surgical thresholds in children.
  • Tailoring PNI treatment to the unique physiological and developmental characteristics of pediatric patients is crucial for optimal outcomes.

Keywords:
median nervenerve injuryradial nervetraumaulnar nerve

More Related Videos

Structured Motor Rehabilitation After Selective Nerve Transfers09:34

Structured Motor Rehabilitation After Selective Nerve Transfers

Published on: August 15, 2019

22.5K
Author Spotlight: Ultrasound-Guided Needle Release Combined with Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Supinator Syndrome05:18

Author Spotlight: Ultrasound-Guided Needle Release Combined with Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Supinator Syndrome

Published on: May 26, 2023

1.6K

Related Concept Videos

Spinal Nerves: Plexus I01:22

Spinal Nerves: Plexus I

Nerve plexuses are networks of interlacing nerves that serve as communication hubs to distribute and organize nerve action across various body regions. The nerve plexuses are organized into the cervical plexus located in the neck region, brachial plexus in the shoulder area, lumbar plexus found in the lower back, sacral plexus situated in the pelvis, and coccygeal plexus located in the coccygeal region.
The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...
1.7K
Arteries of the Upper Limbs01:12

Arteries of the Upper Limbs

The subclavian artery transitions into the axillary artery as it exits the chest and enters the axillary region. This artery is critical for supplying blood to the shoulder area, including the head of the humerus, through the humeral circumflex arteries. As the vessel continues into the upper arm or brachium, it becomes the brachial artery. This artery plays a key role in vascularizing the brachial region and bifurcates at the elbow into several branches. These branches include the deep...
1.5K
Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus01:19

Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus

The upper limb consists of the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand bones. The humerus is the single bone of the upper arm region. Proximally, it has a large, spherical, smooth head that articulates with the glenoid cavity of the scapula to form the glenohumeral or shoulder joint. The margin of the head is the anatomical neck, a residual epiphyseal plate. Laterally it extends to form bony projections called the greater tubercle and the lesser tubercle. Next to the tubercles is the surgical neck, a...
5.9K
Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna01:15

Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna

The ulna and radius are parallel bones of the antebrachium or the forearm. The ulna lies medially and consists of a bony tip called the olecranon process at its proximal end. This hook-like projection articulates with the olecranon fossa of the humerus and forms the "hinged" ulnohumeral part of the elbow joint. This joint facilitates forearm extension and flexion while preventing its hyperextension. Similarly, the coronoid process, another bony projection on the proximal/anterior side...
3.5K
Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius01:09

Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius

The radius is longer of the two bones that make up the human antebrachium or forearm. At the proximal end, the radius articulates with the capitulum of the humerus and the radial notch of the ulna to form the elbow joint. At the distal end, the radius articulates with the ulna via the ulnar notch, forming the distal radioulnar joint. Distally, the radius also attaches to the carpal wrist bones (scaphoid and lunate) to form the radiocarpal joint.
The radius has a nail-shaped head, and a...
3.9K