Self-Mutilation of the Fingers After a Supracondylar Humerus Fracture: The Deleterious Effects of a Median Nerve Palsy: A Case Report.

CASE: A toddler underwent percutaneous pin fixation for a type III supracondylar humerus fracture (SHF). At home, her cast fell off and her k-wires pulled out. Subsequently, she presented to the emergency department for biting the tip of her index finger off and chewing on her thumb and middle fingers. She was diagnosed with a median nerve (MN) palsy with associated paresthesia.

CONCLUSION

In very young children, it may be difficult to cope with the sensation of paresthesias after a MN palsy after a SHF. Self-mutilation of the fingers may be an unfortunate complication from these paresthesias.