Forearm Fracture Fixation with Locking Plates: Does Size Matter?

Purpose: Forearm shaft fractures of the radius and/or ulna are typically repaired with plates and screws, with 3.5 mm nonlocking screws being generally recommended. However, smaller plates and screws, either nonlocking or locking, can also be applied. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively review whether fracture healing rates and related complications are affected by plate size and type. Methods: Patient demographic and descriptive data were retrospectively collected for all patients with a forearm shaft fracture treated with repair of the radial shaft and/or ulna shaft between 2017 and 2021 at a multiprovider and multilocation single institution. Inclusion criteria involved use of a locking plate with a minimum radiographic follow-up of 60 days and/or until fracture union was confirmed. Results: A total of 110 patients met inclusion criteria. There were 45 (40.9%) females and 65 (59.1%) males included with the mean age at time of injury being 47 years (± 22). There were 34 (30.1%) isolated radius fractures, 50 (45.5%) isolated ulna fractures, and 26 (23.6%) both bone forearm fractures. Screw sizes consisted of 3.5 mm (small fragment) screws in 57 (52%) cases, whereas 2.7 mm/2.5 mm/2.4 mm (mini fragment) screws were used in 53 (48%) cases. Fracture union was confirmed in 108 (98%) cases. Among the two nonunion cases, one case (50%) involved a small fragment, and one case (50%) involved a mini fragment plate. Conclusions: This study confirms that fracture union is high following any size plate fixation of radius and/or ulna fractures. Moreover, smaller screw sizes did not affect fracture union rates. Choice of plate type and screw diameter should be based on patient characteristics and surgeon preference and need not be limited to only 3.5 mm plate and screws. Type of Study/Level of Evidence: Prognosis IIb.

Low-trauma ankle fractures in Brazil: secular trends in patients over 50 years old from 2004 to 2013.

PURPOSE: The most common sites of low-energy trauma fractures are the femur, vertebra, humerus, and forearm. Ankle fractures have significant morbidity and high costs for surgical procedure. Forearm fractures are common nonvertebral fractures. Forearm fractures are classified as fragility fractures and predictive for fractures at other sites, although do not allow osteoporosis diagnosis. It is controversial whether ankle fractures are osteoporosis fractures. METHODS: Retrospective observational study, with secular trend analysis, in patients over 50 years old admitted in the Brazilian Public Health System, from 2004 to 2013. We collected hospitalization data according to the ICD-10 for low-trauma ankle and forearm fractures. Fracture rate was calculated according to gender, age, and geographic region, performed linear regression analysis, and estimated fracture rates for 2030. Comparison of ankle and forearm rates was also performed, grouping them in 3-year block. ANOVA test was used to compare each block. RESULTS: Ankle fracture rate was 21.39 fractures per 100,000 inhabitants, 23.98 in females and 18.49 in males. Fracture rates were higher in the South and Southeast regions. In absolute numbers, although ankle fracture rate increased with age, there was a significant decrease in the population over 80 years old. Data showed stabilization in ankle fractures from 2004 to 2013, in women and men. In 3-year block analysis, men had higher ankle fracture rates than forearm. However, in women, forearm rates were higher than ankle. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that ankle fractures in men would be considered as a sentinel fracture with a similar clinical impact of forearm fracture.

Inestabilidad Radiocubital Distal (IRCD) postraumática sintomatica en paciente pediatrico. Correlación funcional e imaginológica. Serie de Casos / Distal symptomatic postraumatic Radioulnar instability (DSPRI) in childs. Functional and imaginological correlation. Case Series

Introducción Actualmente no se encuentra bien establecida la prevalencia, diagnóstico y manejo de la IRCD postraumática en pacientes pediátricos, siendo escasa la literatura al respecto. el propósito del estudio es establecer objetivamente la sintomatología y la funcionalidad. Materiales & Métodos Presentamos un estudio de serie de casos en el cual se evaluaron 126 pacientes con fractura de antebrazo distal entre febrero y noviembre de 2017 que consultaron en el servicio de urgencias del Hospital Guillermo Grant Benavente, Concepción, Chile. Para la evaluación de los pacientes se utilizó el Quick-DASH, Mayo Wrist Score, Fuerza de prensión comparativa mediante dinamómetro y su correlación imagenológica mediante TAC abreviado de muñeca utilizando 3 métodos para evaluar la congruencia articular. Resultados 11 pacientes (8.7%) evolucionaron con IRCD postraumática sintomática, la mayoría de sexo masculino (83%), con media de edad de 10.4 años (4 a 14 años), 82% de los pacientes diestros, el 45% sufrió fractura de extremidad superior derecha, 92% de los pacientes tuvo una caída a nivel siendo 73% de baja energía y todos los pacientes fueron tratados con reducción Ortopédica y yeso braquipalmar con un promedio de 5.5 semanas (2-9 semanas) y un seguimiento total promedio de 10.2 semanas. Discusión la IRCD postraumática en pacientes pediátricos no se debe a una mala reducción de la fractura y un mal eje de alineación sino a una lesión ligamentaria sub-diagnosticada.

Background Currently, the prevalence, diagnosis and management of distal symptomatic post-traumatic radioulnar instability (DSPRI) in pediatric patients is not well established, and the literature on this is scarce. the purpose of the study is to objectively establish the symptoms and functionality. Methods We present a case series study in which 126 patients with a distal forearm fracture were evaluated between February and November 2017, who consulted the emergency department of the Guillermo Grant Benavente Hospital, Concepción, Chile. For the evaluation of the patients, the Quick-DASH, Mayo Wrist Score, comparative grip strength by dynamometer and its imaging correlation by abbreviated CAT scan of the wrist were used using 3 methods to evaluate joint congruence. Results 11 patients (8.7%) evolved with DSPRI, most of them male (83%), with a mean age of 10.4 years (4 to 14 years), 82% of right-handed patients, 45% suffered a fracture of the right upper limb, 92% of the patients had a level drop, 73% being low energy and all the patients were treated with orthopedic reduction and brachypalmar cast with an average of 5.5 weeks (2-9 weeks) and an average total follow-up. 10.2 weeks. Discussion Post-traumatic DSPRI in pediatric patients is not due to poor fracture reduction and poor alignment axis, but to underdiagnosed ligament injury.

Optimal management of post-traumatic radioulnar synostosis.

Post-traumatic radioulnar synostosis is a rare complication after forearm or elbow injury that can result in loss of motion and significant disability. Risk factors include aspects of the initial trauma and of the surgical treatment of that trauma. Surgical intervention for synostosis is the standard of care and is determined based on the location of the bony bridge. Surgical timing is recommended between 6 months and 2 years with recent advocacy for the 6- to 12-month period after radiographs demonstrate bony maturation but early enough to prevent further stiffness and contractures. For most types of synostosis, surgical resection with interposition graft is recommended. The types of materials used include synthetic, allograft, and vascularized and non-vascularized materials, but currently there is no consensus on which is the most preferable. Adjuvant therapy is not considered necessary for all cases but can be beneficial in patients with high risk factors such as recurrence or traumatic brain injury. Postoperative rehabilitation should be performed early to maintain range of motion.

Objective assessment of plaster cast quality in pediatric distal forearm fractures: Is there an optimal index?

BACKGROUND: Several so-called casting indices are available for objective evaluation of plaster cast quality. The present study sought to investigate four of these indices (gap index, padding index, Canterbury index, and three-point index) as compared to a reference standard (cast index) for evaluation of plaster cast quality after closed reduction of pediatric displaced distal forearm fractures. METHODS: Forty-three radiographs from patients with displaced distal forearm fractures requiring manipulation were reviewed. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, false-positive probability, false-negative probability, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio were calculated for each of the tested indices. RESULTS: Comparison among indices revealed diagnostic agreement in only 4.7% of cases. The strongest correlation with the cast index was found for the gap index, with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.94. The gap index also displayed the best agreement with the cast index, with both indices yielding the same result in 79.1% of assessments. CONCLUSION: When seeking to assess plaster cast quality, the cast index and gap index should be calculated; if both indices agree, a decision on quality can be made. If the cast and gap indices disagree, the padding index can be calculated as a tiebreaker, and the decision based on the most frequent of the three results. Calculation of the three-point index and Canterbury index appears unnecessary.

Tratamiento de las fracturas de antebrazo en niños y adolescentes con clavo endomedular flexible en el Hospital Universitario de los Andes 2006-2010 / Treatment of forearm fractures in children and adolescents with Flexible Intramedullary Nail in the Andes University hospital 2006-2010

Las fracturas del antebrazo en el niño son muy frecuentes y suponen el 45% de todas las fracturas pediátricas con predominio de varones de 3 a 1 y una mayor incidencia en mayores de 5 años , el manejo de estas fracturas tienen como objetivo, la curación consiguiendo: 1-. Reducción anatómica de los fragmentos con restableciendo de la longitud y rotación ósea, que permitan la prono supinación completa; 2-. Fijación estable que permita movilización inmediata de las articulaciones adyacente. 3-. La restitución de la curvatura radial que influye no solo en resultado funcional de la movilidad si no también en la fuerza de la aprehensión. En este trabajo se realizo una revisión clínica prospectiva en el Hospital Universitario de los Andes de Mérida, durante un lapso de 4 años, desde 2006 al 2010, estudiándose 2.869 casos de fracturas del antebrazos en niños de 2 a 16 años de los cuales 815 casos correspondieron a fracturas diafisarias. El tratamiento aplicado fue de la siguiente manera: Conservador 64%(520/815 casos) con yeso braquio palmar por 6 semanas. Quirúrgico: 36%(295/815 casos), Enclavijado 210/295 casos representando el 71.2%, Placas: 72/295 casos representando el 24.4%, Fijador Externo: 13/295 casos representando el 4.4%(AU)

Forearm fractures in children are very common and account for 45% of all pediatric fractures with a male predominance of 3-1 and an increased incidence in over 5 years, the management of these fractures aim, getting healing : 1 -. Anatomic reduction of the fragments with restoring bone length and rotation, permitting full supination prone; 2 -. Stable fixation that allows early mobilization of the adjacent joints. 3 -. The return of the radial curvature influences not only functional outcome of mobility but also on the strength of apprehension. In this paper a prospective clinical review at the University Hospital of the Andes in Mérida was conducted over a period of 4 years from 2006 to 2010, studying 2,869 cases of forearm fractures in children 2-16 years of which 815 cases corresponded to diaphyseal fractures. The treatment was applied as follows: Conservative 64% (520 cases) with brachial palmar plaster for 6 weeks. Surgical: 36% (295 cases), 210 cases Pegged representing 71.2%, Blocks: 72 cases representing 24.4%, External fixator: 13 cases representing 4.4%(AU)

Manejo y resultados quirúrgicos de fracturas diafisiarias de antebrazo en el adulto aplicando una base de datos sistematizada traumatológica / Surgical management and results diaphyseal forearm fracture in the adult applying a trauma database systematized

Se realiza un estudio abierto, observacional, descriptivo, tipo serie clínica en el IAHULA, Mérida, Venezuela, en pacientes adultos tratados quirúrgicamente por fracturas de antebrazo durante el 2012, se vaciaron en una base de datos sistematizada traumatológica, HICLINEL ®, demostrando su eficacia y utilidad. Se incluyeron 40 pacientes, 42 casos. 85% pacientes y 85,7% casos fueron controlados. 82,5% de sexo masculino. Edad promedio 29,4 años. 25% obreros. 45% por hechos viales en moto. 16,7% fueron fracturas 22A3.2. 100% tratados mediante reducción directa, 97,5% se realizo osteosíntesis con placa. 100% y 91,2% tuvieron escalas de MAYO excelente para codo y muñeca, respectivamente. 88,9% tuvo consolidación total. 8,8% presentaron complicaciones. En el manejo de estas fracturas en nuestra institución el implante de elección son las placas rectas de pequeños fragmentos bajo una reducción directa, obteniéndose resultado funcionales postoperatorios excelentes con consolidación completa. El HICLINEL® se sometió a valoración, generando datos estadísticos con buen desempeño(AU)

We performed an open-type series per se clinic in IAHULA, Merida, Venezuela, with adult patients surgically treated for forearm fractures during 2012, which were emptied into a trauma database systematized HICLINEL ® demonstrating their effectiveness and usefulness. We included 40 patients, 42 cases. 85% and 85,7% cases patients were monitored. Male 82,5%. Average age of 29.375 years. 25% workers. 45% by road motorcycle events. 22A3.2 16,7% were fractures. 100% were treated by direct reduction, 97,5% were performed plate fixation. 100% and 91,2% MAYO scales had excellent elbow and wrist, respectively. 88,9% was full consolidation. 8,8% had complications. In the management of diaphyseal forearm fractures in our institution the implant of choice are straight plates of small fragments under direct reduction, obtaining excellent postoperative functional outcome with their complete consolidation. HICLINEL ® system underwent assessment with the ability to generate statistical data, showing a good performance(AU)

Monteggia fracture dislocations: a historical review.

The eponym Monteggia fracture dislocation originally referred to a fracture of the shaft of the ulna accompanied by anterior dislocation of the radial head that was described by Giovanni Battista Monteggia of Italy in 1814. Subsequently, a further classification system based on the direction of the radial head dislocation and associated fractures of the radius and ulna was proposed by Jose Luis Bado of Uruguay in 1958. This article investigates the evolution of treatment, classification, and outcomes of the Monteggia injury and sheds light on the lives and contributions of Monteggia and Bado.