ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the generalist with a framework for the management of such injuries. The management of concomitant peripheral nerve injury is integral to fracture treatment. All modalities of distal function should be assessed: Full anatomical details of all peripheral nerves are beyond the scope of this text; however, the following provides an overview of the key points. Martin-Gruber anastomoses may make examination atypical in the presence of a damaged median nerve. Digital nerve injury can be demonstrated by loss of the skin rugosity normally seen after prolonged immersion in water or by the absence of sweating. Common indications for exploration are irreducible supracondylar fracture and pink pulseless limb with nerve injury. The non-neural tissues nourish and support the neuron. Schwann cells invest either a single myelinated neuron or many non-myelinated neurons. In non-degenerative injury, neuronal structure remains intact but with loss of physiological function.
