Complete median nerve axonotmesis as a late postoperative complication in distal radius fracture

Locked volar plate fixation is currently the gold-standard treatment for distal radius fractures. Although volar plating is considered as a reasonably safe treatment option for distal radial fractures, several complications can be observed, such as median nerve injury. We present an 84-year-old male with an intra-articular comminuted fracture of the left distal radius that presented as a late postoperative complication a complete axonotmesis of the median nerve due to screw migration of a locked volar plate. An electromyography was performed confirming complete median nerve axonotmesis, and with proximal stimulation, a Martin-Gruber anastomosis in the proximal forearm was discovered.