Rereduction for Redisplacement of Both-Bone Forearm Shaft Fractures in Children.

BACKGROUND: There is a high rate of redisplacement after closed reduction and cast treatment of displaced both-bone forearm shaft fractures in children. Little evidence is available on the efficacy of rereduction of these redisplaced fractures. This study evaluates the impact of rereduction on radiographic outcomes and compares the cost to surgical stabilization. METHODS: This retrospective study included 31 children (mean age, 6.3 y; 18 boys) treated with rereduction for redisplacement of a displaced both-bone forearm shaft fracture between 2008 and 2013. Angulation was measured on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the radius and ulna at injury, after reduction, at redisplacement, after rereduction, and at fracture union. Average procedure costs for rereduction and surgical stabilization were calculated. RESULTS: Initial reduction decreased apex volar angulation (initially >20 degrees) of both bones to a median of ≤2 degrees. After an average of 15 days (range, 4 to 35 d), apex volar angulation of the radius worsened to 9 degrees, and apex ulnar angulation worsened to >10 degrees for both bones. For every 5 days after initial reduction, apex ulnar angulation of the radius worsened by 4 degrees. Rereduction reduced apex ulnar and volar angulation of both bones to <5 degrees, which was maintained after cast removal. There were no complications. The average procedure cost for rereduction was $2056 compared with $4589 for surgical stabilization with or without implant removal. CONCLUSION: Rereduction of both-bone forearm shaft fractures after redisplacement following initial closed reduction had satisfactory radiographic outcomes and is a safe, effective, and less expensive option than surgical stabilization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-therapeutic.

A new index for the assessment of distal radius fractures involving the ulnar styloid.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the relation between a new index we created for the assessment of distal radius fractures involving the ulnar styloid, and the clinical outcome. METHODS: We devised a radiographic separation index (RSI), to evaluate the displacement of the ulnar styloid. We used this index in 44 patients (28 men and 16 women; mean age: 43.2 years; range: 24-64 years) with distal radius fractures involving the the ulnar styloid. In all cases, the distal radius fracture was fixed using a volar locking plate. The styloid fracture was treated conservatively. The relation between the RSI value and clinical results was then investigated. RESULTS: In the 44 patients there were clinically 38 excellent, 4 good, and 2 moderate results. RSI ratios ranged from 2% to 11%. The patients with an excellent result had an RSI ratio of less than 5%. We found a significant correlation between the RSI ratio values and the clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that the RSI can be used as a predictor of the clinical outcome in patients with distal radius fractures involving the ulnar styloid.