Posterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome following Shoulder Arthroscopy -A Case Report-

Case Report

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2017;19(1):19-23.
Published online June 30, 2017.

Received: 4 October 2016 • Revised: 15 January 2017 • Accepted: 18 January 2017

Abstract

Shoulder arthroscopy was performed on a 20-year-old male patient with left shoulder instability. In right lateral decubitus position and under general anesthesia, traction was applied for 2 hours to the elbow in extension. Nine days after the surgery, the patient complained of weakness of the extensor muscles of the left fingers. There was left posterior interosseous neuropathy with electrophyisiologic and imaging study. The neurologic deficit persisted for three months and neurolysis was performed on the posterior interosseous nerve. Seven months after neurolysis, the extension power of the fingers did not fully recover. Posterior interosseous nerve syndrome following shoulder arthroscopy might occur probably due to the traction and the position of the patient during the procedure.

Key Words: shoulder, posterior interosseous nerve, arthroscopy