Isolated Musculocutaneous Nerve Palsy after the Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty has been performed with promising results in rotator cuff tear arthropathy. However, the global complication of the reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is relatively higher than that of the conventional total shoulder arthroplasty. Neurologic complications after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty are rare but there are sometimes remaining sequelae. The cause of the neurologic complication is multifactorial, including arm traction, position and the design of the implant. Most cases of neurologic palsy following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty occur in the axillary nerve and the radial nerve. The authors report on a case of a 71-year-old man with isolated musculocutaneous nerve palsy after reveres total shoulder arthroplasty with related literature.

Isolated Musculocutaneous Nerve Palsy after the Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty has been performed with promising results in rotator cuff tear arthropathy. However, the global complication of the reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is relatively higher than that of the conventional total shoulder arthroplasty. Neurologic complications after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty are rare but there are sometimes remaining sequelae. The cause of the neurologic complication is multifactorial, including arm traction, position and the design of the implant. Most cases of neurologic palsy following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty occur in the axillary nerve and the radial nerve. The authors report on a case of a 71-year-old man with isolated musculocutaneous nerve palsy after reveres total shoulder arthroplasty with related literature.

An Isolated Musculocutaneous Nerve Palsy

The musculocutaneous nerve has a short course and is deeply placed before piercing the coracobrachialis muscle at the point where it is relatively fixed by branches along its course between biceps brachii and brachialis muscles. Therefore, an isolated palsy of the musculocutaneous nerve is extremely rare and usually caused by stab, cut or bullet injuries. An isolated musculocutaneous nerve palsy, sparing the coracobrachialis muscle, can occur after heavy exercise of the arm musculature and has a good prognosis. We report a patient with an isolated musculocutaneous nerve palsy caused by motorcycle accident.