Median Nerve Entrapment after Elbow Dislocation and the Role of Ultrasonography - A Case Report

INTRODUCTION: Median nerve entrapment in the cases of posterior dislocation of elbow is a rare entity. The diagnosis is usually delayed. We describe here a case of median nerve entrapment in the posteromedial dislocation of elbow in a 10-year-old male child and the role of ultrasonography (USG) in localizing the median nerve in the elbow. The nerve release was done by osteotomy of medial epicondyle. USG thus proved to be a useful tool in the management of nerve injury. CASE REPORT: The authors present here a case of 10-year-old child with a history of dislocation of right elbow that was reduced elsewhere and the child presented to us with stiffness and restriction of movements at the elbow with the features of high median nerve injury. On further evaluation with ultrasound, the median nerve was found to be entrapped in the elbow behind the medial epicondyle. Medial condyle osteotomy was done to release the median nerve and to provide the relief of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Median nerve entrapment after the elbow dislocation is a very rare entity. High index of suspicion and the ultrasound are quite helpful in arriving at the diagnosis of this rare clinical entity. Timed surgical release of the nerve and can provide good function.