Ulnar Nerve Management in Distal Humerus Fracture Surgery: A Case of Developing Ulnar Neuropathy After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation

In this case report, we want to show how a patient who underwent surgery for a distal humerus fracture developed postoperative ulnar neuropathy symptoms, how nonunion persisted even at the ninth month of follow-up, and whether the nonunion was connected to the ulnar neuropathy that developed. Due to this, we used this case to explore ulnar nerve care and whether ulnar nerve transposition, manipulation, or decompression should be carried out during surgery on patients with distal humerus fractures. A 52-year-old man with a bi-columnar distal humerus fracture from a fall on his right elbow underwent open reduction and internal fixation at an external center one year before. Elbow restriction, discomfort, numbness, and weakness in the fourth and fifth digits of the right hand were all symptoms the patient experienced eight months following the surgery. We discovered the distal right humerus' nonunion during the radiological exams. It became apparent that the patient had no signs of ulnar neuropathy before the injury. In the eighth month following the injury, the patient had implant removal, open reduction internal fixation with autograft, and ulnar nerve transposition. We discovered during follow-up that the patient's ulnar neuropathy symptoms had subsided. The surgeon's familiarity with the procedure and command of the anatomy of the elbow has a role in managing the ulnar nerve in distal humerus fractures. We concluded that more study is required to determine the connection between the onset of ulnar neuropathy and nonunion while treating distal humerus fractures.