CASE AT A GLANCE
Biceps Muscle Repair / Radial Nerve Palsy

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Case Overview:

The patient underwent a right shoulder arthroscopic biceps tenodesis (repair to the tendon that connects the bicep to the shoulder). Following surgery, he complained of weakness and the inability to extend his right wrist and fingers. He was diagnosed with a radial nerve palsy and subsequently underwent two tendon transfer surgeries and a capsulectomy. The plaintiff claimed that the anchor used to connect the bicep tendon to the shoulder injured the radial nerve at the time of the initial surgery. The defense used the illustrations to show that the anchor was anterior, while the radial nerve runs posterior at the location of the anchor. The jury found in favor of the defense.