Trauma: Associated Neurovascular Injury

Associated Neurovascular Injuries

Upper Extremity Associations
  • Shoulder Dislocation:
    • Anterior Dislocation: Axillary Nerve
    • Posterior Dislocation: Axillary Artery
  • Humerus Fracture: Mn
    • Proximal: Axillary Nerve
    • Midshaft: Brachial Artery & Radial Nerve
    • Supracondylar/Distal: Brachial Artery & Nerves
      • Median Nerve (Anterior Interosseous Nerve/AIN) – Most Common
      • Radial Nerve – Second Most Common
      • Ulnar Nerve – Seen Flexion-Type Injury
  • Elbow Dislocation: Brachial Artery
  • Radius Fracture:
    • Distal: Median Nerve
  • Ulna Fracture:
    • Olecranon: Ulnar Nerve
Lower Extremity Associations
  • Hip Dislocation:
    • Anterior Dislocation: Femoral Artery
    • Posterior Dislocation: Sciatic Nerve
  • Femoral Fracture:
    • Neck: Avascular Necrosis
    • Shaft: Femoral Artery & Nerve
    • Distal: Popliteal Artery
  • Posterior Knee Dislocation: Popliteal Artery
  • Fibula Fracture:
    • Neck: Common Peroneal Nerve

Mnemonics

Nerve Injury Associated with Humerus Fracture

  • “ARM”
    • Proximal Fracture: Axillary Nerve
    • Midshaft Fracture: Radial Nerve
    • Distal Fracture: Median Nerve (Most Common)