Functional and radiological outcome after forearm plating in children and adolescent fracture.

The literature on forearm overgrowth after plating in traumatic conditions is relatively poor though this technique can be useful when intra-medullary nailing is not sufficient in pediatric cases. The goal of this study was to assess a potential overgrowth after plating and identify impact on function. We conducted a retrospective study of all pediatric patients who underwent open surgery of the radius and/or ulna diaphysis with internal fixation by plating, in our institution, between October 2013 and July 2019. At last follow-up, functional and radiological outcomes were compared between the operated and uninjured forearm. Range of motion (ROM) of the wrist and elbow, clinical scores, radial and ulnar length were measured. A positive bone length discrepancy of more than 2mm was considered as an overgrowth. Were also studied the radio-ulnar index, radial inclination and radiocarpal angle. Thirteen patients were included. The mean age was 12.1 years old (±3.0 years), they were plated on the radius (10 cases) or on the ulna (3 cases). Mean follow- up was 4.4 years (± 1.8). In two cases, the plated bone (radius) was significantly longer than the uninjured one. There was no significant difference regarding radio-ulnar index, radial inclination and radiocarpal angle. The only statistically significant difference between the operated and uninjured forearm was the pronation/supination range, which was greater in the uninjured forearm (mean 160 ±48° versus 175 ±49°, p=0.01). This study confirms the good functional and radiological outcomes after plating even in a skeletally immature forearm. Level of evidence : IV.

Primary or Secondary Subtalar Arthrodesis and Revision of Calcaneal Nonunion with Minimally Invasive Rigid Internal Nail Fixation for Treatment of Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures.

Primary or secondary subtalar joint arthrodesis after displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures makes use of talocalcaneal large-diameter screw fixation after an eventual correction of geometric hindfoot deformity. Despite this procedure usually having a successful functional outcome, potential complications occur, including nonunion and malalignment, with an unknown rate of loss of correction or implant migration during the healing period. Angular stable fixation of the subtalar joint arthrodesis with an interlocking nail applied in a minimally invasive technique affords maintenance of the hindfoot position until osseous healing occurs. The key steps of the surgical technique are described.