Posterior interosseous nerve palsy in a child associated with recurrent dislocation of the head of the radius

Abstract

Injuries to the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) appear to be very uncommon in children. In this paper, the authors describe a 9-year-old boy with a radial malunion and radial head instability that resulted in PIN compression. Surgical decompression via transection of the overlying supinator muscle with correction of the radial deformity and instability resulted in complete return of PIN function. The clinician should be aware of anterior dislocation of the radial head as a cause of PIN injury. Based on the authors' experience, nerve decompression and correction of the bone deformity result in return of normal PIN function.