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Two fingerbreadths, one finger’s width: on the proximity of the radial nerve to the deltoid tuberosity

  • Trauma Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this study was to find a convenient technique to evaluate the location of the radial nerve (RN) with reference to the deltoid tuberosity (DT).

Materials and methods

Sixty-eight upper extremities, embalmed using a modified version of Thiel’s method, were included in the study. The interval between the tip of the greater tubercle of the humerus and the distal tip of the lateral humeral epicondyle (LE) was defined as humeral length (HL). The most prominent point of the DT was used as the point of reference. Through this point, a horizontal reference line which met the humeral axis at the dorsal side of the humeral shaft was simulated. The longitudinal distance between the crossing point of the horizontal line and the humeral axis and the RN was measured (distance 1). The interval between the intersection point and the reference point at the DT was measured (distance 2). Data were evaluated in centimeters.

Results

For the whole sample, the HL averaged 31.0 cm (SD: 2.3; range 26.2–36.9). Distance 1 averaged 2.2 cm (SD: 0.3; range 1.6–3.1), and distance 2 averaged 1.2 cm (SD: 1.0; range 0–2.8). The HL was larger in the male group when compared to females (p < 0.001; males mean: 32.2 cm; females mean 29.5 cm). There was no difference regarding distance 2 (p = 0.59; males mean: 1.2 cm; females mean: 1.3 cm) between the sexes. Distance 1 was significantly (p = 0.02) larger in the male group (mean: 2.3 cm) when compared to females (mean: 2.1 cm). Concerning sides, there were no differences regarding all evaluated parameters (HL: p = 0.6; Distance 1: p = 0.6; distance 2: p = 0.8).

Conclusions

This study provides an easily applicable technique to localize the RN with reference to the DT.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

The authors have no financial or proprietary interests in any material discussed in this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma Surgery, State Hospital Feldbach, Fürstenfeld, Ottokar-Kernstock-Straße 18, 8330, Feldbach, Austria

    Walter Prager & Gloria Maria Hohenberger

  2. AUVA, Trauma Hospital (UKH) Styria|Graz, Göstinger Str. 24, 8020, Graz, Austria

    Angelika Maria Schwarz

  3. Department of Trauma Surgery, State Hospital Wiener Neustadt, Corvinusring 3-5, 2700, Wiener Neustadt, Austria

    Ulrike Wittig

  4. AUVA, Rehabilitation Clinic Tobelbad, Dr.-Georg-Neubauer-Straße 6, 8144, Tobelbad, Austria

    Renate Krassnig

  5. Division of Macroscopic and Clinical Anatomy, Gottfried Schatz Research Centre, Medical University of Graz, Harrachgasse 21, 8010, Graz, Austria

    Niels Hammer

  6. Division of Medical Technology, Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (Fraunhofer IWU), Nöthnitzer Str. 44, 01187, Dresden, Germany

    Niels Hammer

  7. Department of Trauma, Orthopaedics and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Niels Hammer

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  1. Walter Prager
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by AMS, UW, RK, NH and GMH. The first draft of the manuscript was written by WP and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Gloria Maria Hohenberger.

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Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony, patent applications/registrations) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

Ethical approval

The involved bodies were donated to the Division of Macroscopic and Clinical Anatomy of the Medical University Graz with approval of the Anatomical Donation Program of the Medical University of Graz and in adherence to Austrian law for such donations.

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Prager, W., Schwarz, A.M., Wittig, U. et al. Two fingerbreadths, one finger’s width: on the proximity of the radial nerve to the deltoid tuberosity. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 143, 4977–4982 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-023-04812-2

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