[Reconstruction of painful neuroma of superficial branch of radial nerve after first dorsal compartment release: presentation of two cases].

Abstract

Introduction: nerve lesions are potentially catastrophic injuries. They can cause motor loss, severe pain and neuroma formation. The superficial branch of the radial nerve is at risk during first dorsal compartment release, its injury can cause neuroma formation. Autologous nerve reconstruction is the gold standard for treatment of small nerve gaps.

Cases presentation: we present two cases of adult women (F/47 y F/51) with a prior history of first dorsal compartment release in another institution. Both patients developed debilitating neuropathic pain, as well as allodynia in the surgical site. They were diagnosed with superficial radial nerve neuroma. Oral medication and physical therapy was attempted without success. Surgical exploration and autologous nerve reconstruction was performed. Both patients had excellent relief of pain from visual analogue scale (VAS 9-10 to VAS 1-2). Postoperatively, both patients recovered partial sensitivity to pain in the zones distal to the repair.

Conclusions: neuromas are feared complications that occur with unrecognized nerve lesions during surgery, they are difficult to treat and require multidisciplinary management. These two cases demonstrate that autologous nerve reconstruction is an excellent option for recovering function in small gaps of nerve tissue.