Case: A 35-year-old man sustained a Grade I open right mid-diaphyseal humerus fracture and high radial nerve transection from a motor vehicle accident. Acute humeral plate osteosynthesis and radial nerve reconstruction using an intercalary 4-cm processed nerve allograft (PNA) was performed. Five years postoperatively, elbow extension, forearm supination, and wrist extension were 5/5 strength and independent digital extension was 5-/5. Radial nerve sensation recovered to 90% of the uninjured side.
Conclusions: Use of PNA resulted in outcomes comparable with or superior to autograft reconstruction or secondary tendon transfers and is a reasonable reconstructive option for similar acute, mixed sensorimotor nerve injuries.