Rupture of the brachioradialis muscle following blunt trauma. A case report

Abstract

A 50-year old healthy male lost control over the pull string of a milling machine, which strangulated his right elbow and forearm with high velocity. Magnetic resonance imaging of the right upper extremity revealed a substantial tear in the muscle belly of the musculus brachioradialis with multiple small defects in the surrounding musculature of the forearm. The affected arm was immobilized for 1 week with an above the elbow cast. In the following months, guided training and strengthening exercises were performed. The patient could return to his physically demanding work after 10 months and regained full function of his hand and wrist after 18 months. This case report demonstrates that short immobilization followed by extensive and guided strength training has been observed to result in persisting weakness of elbow flexion but good functional outcome for the wrist and hand.

Keywords

• Brachioradialis muscle
• Blunt trauma
• Conservative treatment