Trends and projection of forearm fractures including elbow fractures of the Olecranon in Sweden: an analysis of 363 968 fractures using public aggregated data.

BACKGROUND: Forearm and olecranon fractures are a common orthopaedic injury. This study aimed to analyse whether the incidence of forearm injury is changing and identifying trends in the number of forearm and olecranon fractures using public aggregated data in Sweden. METHODS: The number of forearm and olecranon fractures as defined by the number of registered diagnoses with the ICD-10 code of S52 were collected and normalized per 100,000 inhabitants and stratified per sex, age, and month. Age-adjusted incidence for forearm and olecranon fractures were calculated using the direct method. Poisson regression was used to analyse monthly, seasonal and yearly change in forearm and olecranon fracture incidence. Logistical regression was used to predict future trends of forearm and olecranon fractures. RESULTS: The findings revealed a slight decreasing trend in forearm and olecranon fractures. The average incidence rate during the study period was 333 with women having a higher incidence rate than men. More fractures occurred in the winter months. Fluctuations in the number of forearm and olecranon fractures were observed during 2020 which may be influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on current data, forearm and olecranon fractures are expected to decrease in Sweden by 2035. CONCLUSION: This study describes the trend of forearm and olecranon fractures among individuals according to sex and age in Sweden using easily obtainable data. Trends in forearm and olecranon fractures are dependent on sex and age but generally show a decreasing trend. More precise studies are needed in order to properly quantify the specific incidence of various subtypes of forearm and olecranon fractures and associated risk factors.

How common are refractures in childhood?

Aims: The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of refractures among children, following fractures of all long bones, and to identify when the risk of refracture decreases. Methods: All patients aged under 16 years with a fracture that had occurred in a bone with ongoing growth (open physis) from 1 May 2015 to 31 December 2020 were retrieved from the Swedish Fracture Register. A new fracture in the same segment within one year of the primary fracture was regarded as a refracture. Fracture localization, sex, lateral distribution, and time from primary fracture to refracture were analyzed for all long bones. Results: Of 40,090 primary fractures, 348 children (0.88%) sustained a refracture in the same long bone segment. The diaphyseal forearm was the long bone segment most commonly affected by refractures (n = 140; 3.4%). The median time to refracture was 147 days (interquartile range 82 to 253) in all segments of the long bones combined. The majority of the refractures occurred in boys (n = 236; 67%), and the left side was the most common side to refracture (n = 220; 62%). The data in this study suggest that the risk of refracture decreases after 180 days in the diaphyseal forearm, after 90 days in the distal forearm, and after 135 days in the diaphyseal tibia. Conclusion: Refractures in children are rare. However, different fractured segments run a different threat of refracture, with the highest risk associated with diaphyseal forearm fractures. The data in this study imply that children who have sustained a distal forearm fracture should avoid hazardous activities for three months, while children with a diaphyseal forearm fracture should avoid these activities for six months, and for four and a half months if they have sustained a diaphyseal tibia fracture.

Change in treatment preferences in pediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures: a Danish nationwide register study of 36,244 fractures between 1997 and 2016.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The choice between invasive and non-invasive treatment of diaphyseal forearm fractures in children can be difficult. We investigated the trends in choice of treatment of pediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures over a 20-year period.  Patients and methods: This is a population-based register study with data from 1997 to 2016 retrieved from the Danish National Patient Registry. The primary outcome was choice of primary treatment within 1 week divided into non-invasive treatment (casting only or closed reduction including casting) and invasive (Kirshner wires, intramedullary nailing [IMN], and open reduction internal fixation [ORIF]). The secondary outcomes were further sub-analyses on invasive treatment and age groups. RESULTS: 36,244 diaphyseal forearm fractures were investigated, yielding a mean incidence of 172 per 105/year. The proportion of fractures treated invasively increased from 1997 to 2016, from 4% to 23%. The use of Kirschner wires increased from 1% to 9%, IMN increased from 1% to 14%, and ORIF decreased from 2% to 1%. The changes were evident in all age groups but smaller in the 0-3-year age group. CONCLUSION: We found an increase in invasive treatment of pediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures over the investigated period. A change in invasive methods was also found, as the rate of IMN increased over the investigated period and became the predominant surgical treatment choice.

Conservative treatment of ulnar styloid fractures following volar-plate fixation of distal radius fractures: incidence of nonunion evaluated by computed tomography.

PURPOSE: The first aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of ulnar styloid fractures (USFs) accompanied by distal radius fractures (DRFs), treated with volar locking plates. The fracture type of DRFs was evaluated by the classifications, based on computed tomography (CT) scan findings. The second aim was to investigate the bone union rate of USFs, depending on the fracture type of DRFs, by comparing union and nonunion groups in the USFs groups. METHODS: Between May 2012 and December 2019, 239 consecutive patients with DRFs were treated. Of these patients, 177 DRFs met inclusion criteria. The fracture patterns of the DRFs, based on the classification, using CT scans, which included the AO classification, sagittal angulation, and axial fracture patterns of the articular surface of the distal radius in two-part intra-articular fractures were evaluated. The size of USFs, classified as a tip or base fracture was also investigated. RESULTS: The incidence of USFs was significantly higher for AO types A and C than for type B. Analysis of the sagittal angulation of DRFs showed that the incidence of USFs was higher for the extension type than for the flexion type. Axial CT classification of two-part fractures revealed that DRFs with a dorsal fracture line was more frequent than the volar type of DRFs. These results suggested that dorsal displacement of DRFs was associated with a higher incidence of USFs. Finally, the analysis of the bone union rate of USFs revealed that AO classification and sagittal angulation were not correlated with bone union in USFs. However, it was found that a fracture line on the radial side of the radius had a significantly low rate of bone union, compared to a fracture line on the dorsal side. The size of USFs was also not correlated with the bone union rate. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and the bone union rate of USFs have different patterns. The incidence of USFs was higher in the dorsal displacement type of DRFs. However, the bone union rate of USFs was lower for a fracture line on the radial side. Therefore, USFs with DRFs that have a fracture line on the radial side is a candidate for fixation to prevent nonunion.

Re-fractures of the paediatric radius and/or ulna: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the radius and/or ulna are one of the most common injuries in children. Evidence identifying risk factors for refracture, however, has not been summarised in a systematic review. Guidance for counselling patients and parents to minimise the risk of refracture is limited. The aims of this study are to 1) to determine if casting time 6 weeks or less is a risk factor for refracture after paediatric radius and/or ulna fractures, 2) to identify other risk factors for refracture after paediatric radius and/or ulna fractures and 3) to develop more accurate guidelines for counselling parents after a radius and/or ulna fracture in their child. METHODS: A thorough search was performed in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines for systematic review. JBI Critical Appraisal checklists were used for risk of bias assessment. RESULTS: Diaphyseal both-bone fractures treated non-surgically should be casted for longer than 6 weeks. Surgically treated patients can be casted for less than 6 weeks. Diaphyseal and greenstick fractures have a higher risk of refracture. Residual angulation and incomplete healing in greenstick fractures may lead to a higher risk of refracture. Gender does not affect refracture risk. Falls, use of wheeled vehicles, playground activities and trampolining confer high-risk of refracture. Refracture risk is greatest up to 9 months from initial fracture. CONCLUSION: Further case-controlled studies with sub-group analysis are required to further investigate risk factors for refracture after radius and/or ulna fractures in children.

Incidence and Management of Articular Impaction in Geriatric Olecranon Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Olecranon fractures are common in the elderly. Articular impaction is encountered occasionally, but the incidence and outcomes after treatment of this injury pattern have not been well characterized. METHODS: We evaluated a cohort of geriatric olecranon fractures to determine the incidence of articular impaction and describe a technique for open reduction and internal fixation. RESULTS: Of the 63 patients in our series, 31 had associated intraarticular impaction (49.2%). Patients with articular impaction did not have significantly different rates of postoperative complications (11/31, 35.5% versus 10/31, 32.3%; P = 1.00) or revision surgery (10/31, 32.3% versus 8/31, 25.8%; P = 0.780) compared with those without articular impaction. CONCLUSION: Articular impaction is a common feature of geriatric olecranon fractures. Surgeons must maintain a high index of suspicion and have a surgical plan in place for managing this component of the injury.

The Pediatric Open Supracondylar Fracture: Associated Injuries and Surgical Management.

BACKGROUND: While supracondylar (SC) fractures are relatively common in children, the incidence of open injuries is believed to be only 1%. Two prior studies on open SC fractures in children reported an increased incidence of vascular injuries. The purposes of our study were to clarify the incidence, associated conditions, and current treatment for open SC fractures. METHODS: The Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study database was queried. Subjects age 25 to 156 months old admitted to trauma centers between January 2000 and December 2015 with a SC fracture were included. Controls were those with closed fractures and the study group, those with open injuries. Study variables were age, sex, weight, injury severity score, length of stay (LOS), nerve injury, ipsilateral forearm fracture, compartment syndrome/fasciotomy, requirement for a vascular procedure. Other variables were mode of treatment, provisional reduction, repeat reduction, time interval between referring facility admission and operation, and time from emergency department admission to operation. RESULTS: A total of 4308 subjects were included, 104 (2.4%) of whom had an open SC fracture. LOS was 2 days for the study group versus 1 day for controls (P<0.001). Open SC fractures were more likely than closed to be associated with a nerve injury (13.5% vs. 3.7%), ipsilateral forearm fracture (18.3% vs. 6.4%) and/or a vascular procedure (6.7% vs. 0.3%) (P<0.001). 5.9% of those in the study group required repeat surgery compared with 0.4% for controls (P<0.001). Time from emergency department admission to operation was 3.2 versus 10.3 hours (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We report the largest series to date of open SC fractures in children. Surgeons caring for such patients should be aware of their increased risks for both associated injuries and potential requirement for vascular reconstruction. The majority of children with an open SC fracture are managed with 1 operation and in the absence of vascular injury, seldom require an extended LOS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective cohort study.

Identifying Risk Factors for Elbow Injury in Children Presenting to the Emergency Department With Distal Forearm Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric distal forearm fractures are one of the most common injuries seen in the emergency department. Orthopedic teaching instructs providers to radiograph the joint above and the joint below the fracture site for concurrent injury. Despite this teaching, there is little evidence to suggest that elbow injuries are common in children with distal forearm fractures. Similarly, there are few data that help the clinician predict which children are at higher risk for co-injury. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the 2011 National Emergency Department Sample data set. Children aged 2 to 17 years with an International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, code for a distal forearm fracture were included in the study. The primary outcome of interest was an "elbow" injury, defined as an International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, code for proximal radius, proximal ulna, or distal humeral fracture or dislocation. Multivariable logistic regression was performed using patient demographics, injury severity score, mechanism of injury, and underlying medical conditions. RESULTS: A total of 54,262 children with a distal forearm fracture were identified. Of these children, only 0.8% (n = 463) had an elbow injury. Supracondylar fractures of the humerus were the most common elbow injury seen (48.2% of elbow injuries seen). Children were more likely to have a co-injury if they were younger (9.8 years vs 8.3 years, P < 0.01), female (36% vs 44%, P < 0.01), injured via fall (68% vs 76%, P < 0.01), had a higher injury severity score (4.1 vs 4.5, P < 0.01), or were admitted for their injuries (1.5% vs 15.7%, P < 0.01). In the adjusted model, only age and disposition were predictors of co-injury. Isolated buckle fracture of the radius and metaphyseal fracture of the radius with dorsal angulation were protective against elbow injury (odds ratio = 0.39 and 0.60, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Children with distal forearm fractures very rarely have concurrent elbow injuries. These injuries are more likely in younger female children.

Olecranon fractures: do they lead to osteoarthritis? Long-term outcomes and complications.

PURPOSE: To report radiologic, functional outcomes, and complications with a long-term follow-up in acute olecranon fractures treated with osteosynthesis and, secondly, to determine the predisposing factors to arthritis. METHODS: Forty-two patients treated with osteosynthesis for acute olecranon fractures were reviewed, with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. Radiological and clinical evaluations including DASH, MEPS, active range of motion, pain, arthritis, associated lesions, and complications were recorded. Arthritis was classified according to Broberg-Morrey scale. A logistic regression model was estimated to determine risk factors to develop ulnohumeral arthritis. The association between the types of fractures according to Mayo classification and MEPS, and the association between the type of fracture and the presence of pain were analyzed. RESULTS: The average follow-up was of 43.64 months. The flexion-extension average range was 135.6°, and the mean MEPS was 89.45; the DASH was 25.26. Eighteen cases (42.86%) were fixed with pre-contoured locking plates, 21 with tension band wiring (50%), and 3 with cannulated screws of 7 mm (7.14%). Six cases (14.29%) needed hardware removal. All fractures healed. Ulnohumeral osteoarthritis was observed in 14 cases (33.3%). We did not find a significant association among the MEPS, pain, and the fracture type, according to Mayo (p > 0.1 for both values). A significant association was found (p < 0.05) between fracture type and the osteoarthritis. CONCLUSIONS: In olecranon fractures, good functional and radiological results with low complications are predictable. The osteoarthritis is possible in more complex fractures and with other associated fractures.

Trends in fracture development of the upper extremity in Germany-a population-based description of the past 15 years.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies investigating fracture development in Germany are not available especially with regard to demographic change. The primary aim of this study was to report trends in fracture development of the upper extremity in Germany between 2002 and 2017 and to evaluate changes over time. METHODS: Evaluating inpatient data from the German National Hospital Discharge Registry (International Classification of Diseases, ICD-10) between 2002 and 2017. Total count, incidences and percentage changes of the following fracture localizations were analysed: proximal humerus, distal humerus, proximal ulna, proximal radius, ulna diaphysis (including Monteggia lesion) and distal radius. Ten age groups for men and women were formed: 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74; 75-84; 85-90, and > 90 (years). RESULTS: The total count of proximal humeral fractures increased from 40,839 (2002, men/women 9967/30,872) to 59,545 (2017, men/women 14,484/45,061). Distal humeral fractures increased from 5912 (2002, men/women 1559/4353) to 6493 (2017, men/women1840/4653). The total count of forearm fractures increased from 68,636 (2002, men/women 17,186/51,450) to 89,040 (2017, men/women 20,185/68,855). Women were affected in 70-75% of all cases with rising incidences among nearly every age group in female patients. CONCLUSION: Total count of nearly every evaluated fracture increased. Also, incidences increased especially in the older female age groups. Fracture development already seems to reflect demographic changes in Germany.

Risk factors for developing acute compartment syndrome in the pediatric population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is often difficult to diagnose in pediatric patients due to their erratic symptomatology. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to identify at-risk patients to facilitate a prompt diagnosis. This study aims to identify risk factors for the development of ACS in the pediatric population. METHODS: We included studies comprised of pediatric patients with traumatic ACS. We excluded studies evaluating compartment syndrome secondary to exertion, vascular insult, abdominal processes, burns, and snake bites. Heterogeneity was addressed by subgroup analysis, and whenever it remained significant, we utilized a random-effects meta-analysis for data pooling. The protocol has been registered at PROSPERO (ID = CRD42019126603). RESULTS: We included nine studies with 380,411 patients, of which 1144 patients were diagnosed with traumatic ACS. The average age was 10 years old, and 67% of patients were male. Factors that were significantly associated with ACS were: open radius/ulna fractures (OR 3.56 CI 1.52-8.33, p = 0.003), high-energy trauma (OR 3.51 CI 1.71-7.21, p = 0.001), humerus fractures occurring concurrently with forearm fractures (OR 3.49 CI 1.87-6.52, p < 0.001), open tibia fractures (OR 2.29 CI 1.47-3.55, p < 0.001), and male gender (OR 2.06 CI 1.70-2.51, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In the present study, open fractures, high-energy trauma, concurrent humerus and forearm fractures, and male gender significantly increased the risk of developing ACS in the pediatric population. Clinicians should raise their suspicion for ACS when one or multiple of these factors are present in the right clinical context. TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review and meta-analysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Obese Children Have Different Forearm Fracture Characteristics Compared With Normal-weight Children.

BACKGROUND: Current estimates suggest that one third of children and adolescents are overweight and 1 in 5 are obese. Obese children are at increased risk of sustaining more complex fractures, failing nonoperative treatment, and experiencing more complications during treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare forearm fracture characteristics, treatment, and complications in grouped overweight and obese [OW+OB; body mass index-for-age percentile (BMI%) ≥85] pediatric patients compared with normal-weight (NW; BMI%≤84) patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective comparative study of patients aged 2 to 17 years old who presented with a forearm fracture resulting from low-energy trauma between January 2010 and September 2017. Patients with incomplete height and weight data; an underlying condition that predisposes to fractures or altered fracture healing; and torus, greenstick, pathologic, and high-energy fractures were excluded. Demographics, fracture characteristics, treatment, and complications were recorded. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 565 patients (403 NW, 162 OW+OB) met the inclusion criteria. NW children sustained open fractures nearly twice as frequently as the OW+OB children but this was not statistically significant (9.7% vs. 4.9%; P=0.065). Subanalysis showed that NW children were 4.1 times more likely to sustain an open fracture compared with obese (BMI%≥95) children (9.7% vs. 2.4%; P=0.029). A significant relationship was found between BMI% and location of the fracture, the bones involved, and fracture type. The OW+OB children sustained more distal forearm fractures than midshaft and proximal forearm fractures. Isolated radial shaft fractures were more common in the OW+OB group, whereas isolated ulnar shaft fractures were more common in the NW group. There was no difference in associated neurovascular injury, initial nonoperative versus operative management, failure of nonoperative treatment, and treatment complications. CONCLUSIONS: OW+OB children have different forearm fracture characteristics compared with their NW peers. The thick soft tissue envelope in obese children may be protective against an open forearm fracture. In contrast to previous studies, obesity was not associated with failure of nonoperative treatment or a higher rate of complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-prognostic.

Incidence of distal ulna fractures in a Swedish county: 74/100,000 person-years, most of them treated non-operatively.

Background and purpose - Fractures of the distal ulna can occur in isolation or in conjunction with a distal radius fracture. They may result in incongruence and instability of the distal radioulnar joint. We investigated the incidence of distal ulna fractures, whether any fracture types were more common, and the methods of treatment used.Patients and methods - Data were collected from patients 18 years or older, treated for a fracture of the distal ulna in Östergötland, Sweden, during 2010-2012. Patients were identified in the patient registry. The fractures were classified according to the AO comprehensive classification of fractures.Results - The incidence of distal ulna fractures was 74/100,000 person-years. The most common fracture type was that of the ulnar styloid Q1 (79%), followed by the ulnar neck Q2 (11%). Rarest was ulna head fracture, type Q4 (1%). Incidental findings were a mean age of 63 years (SD 18), a concomitant distal radius fracture in 92% of the patients and that 79% were caused by falling from standing height. Internal fixation was performed in 30% of the Q2-Q6 fractures. This indicates that most were considered stable without internal fixation or stable after fixation of a concomitant radius fracture.Interpretation - Our results show that fractures of the distal ulna are not very common, and some fracture types are even rare. There seem to be no consensus on treatment.

Association between hand-grip strength and site-specific risks of major osteoporotic fracture: Results from the Japanese Population-based Osteoporosis Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between hand-grip strength and site-specific risks of major osteoporotic fracture. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. MAIN OUTCOME: Associations between low hand-grip strength and increased risk of fracture at the distal forearm, vertebrae, and hip. MEASURES: We enrolled 1342 postmenopausal women aged 50 years or more into baseline and follow-up surveys of the Japanese Population-based Osteoporosis Cohort Study in 1996, 1999, 2002, or 2006. Fracture events were ascertained by follow-up surveys until 2011 or 2012. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of hand-grip strength on fracture event. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 15.2 years, 162 women sustained at least one osteoporotic fracture and 135 of these women sustained at least one major osteoporotic fracture, the larger group including 65, 38, 35, and 8 women with fractures of the distal forearm, vertebrae, hip, and proximal humerus, respectively. In the crude models, the associations between low hand-grip strength and increased risk of fracture at the distal forearm, vertebrae, and hip were significant; the HRs (95% confidence interval) of the lowest tertile of hand-grip strength were 2.02 (1.10-3.71), 11.35 (4.07-31.63), and 4.72 (1.79-12.47), respectively. Age adjustment attenuated the significance of hip fracture risk, and adjusting for bone mineral density attenuated the significance of distal forearm fracture risk. After additional adjustment for body mass index, history of diabetes mellitus, and calcium intake, the HR for vertebral fracture risk was 4.55 (1.56-13.27). When limiting the follow-up period to 5 and 10 years, low hand-grip strength was associated with an increased risk of distal forearm fracture independently of the aforementioned covariates; the HRs were 4.22 (1.12-15.95) and 2.52 (1.03-6.17), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Low hand-grip strength is specifically associated with the risk of distal forearm fractures within 10 years and clinical vertebral fractures within 15 years or more in Japanese postmenopausal women.

Incidence patterns of traumatic upper limb fractures in children and adolescents: Data from medical university-affiliated hospitals in Chongqing, China.

China's child population ranked second in the world. However, data on the overall patterns and epidemiologic trends of TULFs among children and adolescents in Chongqing, China are scarce. With development of urbanization, motorization, building industry, the incidence patterns of traumatic upper limb fractures in children and adolescents might be about to change. To investigate the incidence patterns of traumatic upper limb fractures in children and adolescents (≤18 years old) according to age (≤3 years old, 3-6 years old, 6-12 years old, and 12-18 years old), gender, time, and etiology groups in Chongqing, China, we retrospectively reviewed 1078 children and adolescents who had traumatic upper limb fractures and who came to our university-affiliated hospitals from 2001 to 2010. The patients were grouped into different age groups, genders, year of admission range groups, and aetiologies. We used Pearson chi-square tests and independent samples t tests to assess differences of the grouped data and continuous variables, respectively. This study enrolled 1078 patients (849 males, 229 females) aged 11.0 ±â€Š4.7 years old. The most common aetiologies and fracture sites of patients were low falls (705, 65.4%) and humerus (492, 45.6%). A total of 146 (13.5%) patients suffered a nerve injury, 94 (8.7%) patients sustained associated injuries, and 106 (9.8%) patients sustained complications. The proportion of injuries due to motor vehicle collisions increased with increasing age and year of admission. Female patients presented with significantly higher proportion of injuries due to motor vehicle collisions and significantly lower proportion of injuries due to hit by others. The proportion decreased from 63.2% to 33.3% in humeral fracture, increased from 8.8% to 35.5% in radius fracture, increased from 7.4% to 28.9% in ulna fracture with increasing age. Female patients presented with significantly higher proportion of humeral fracture, clavicle fracture and significantly lower proportion of radius fracture, ulna fracture, and hand fracture. Low falls and humerus fractures were the most common aetiologies and fracture sites. The pattern of traumatic upper limb fractures has specific age, gender, time, and etiology differences.

Concurrent Proximal Fractures Are Rare in Distal Forearm Fractures: A National Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Distal forearm fractures (DFF) account for 1.5% of emergency department (ED) visits in the United States. Clinicians frequently obtain imaging above/below the location of injury to rule out additional injuries. We sought to determine the incidence of associated proximal fractures (APF) in the setting of DFF and to evaluate the imaging practices in a nationally representative sample of EDs. METHODS: We queried the 2013 National Emergency Department Sample using International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition, diagnostic codes for DFF and APF. Current Procedural Technology codes identified associated imaging studies. We calculated national estimates using a weighted analysis of patient and hospital-level characteristics associated with APF and imaging practices. An analysis of costs estimated the financial impact of additional imaging in patients with DFF using Medicare reimbursement to approximate costs according to the 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. RESULTS: In 2013, an estimated 297,755 ED visits (weighted) were associated with a DFF, of which 1.6% (4836 cases) had an APF. The incidence of APF was lower among females (odds ratio [OR] (0.76); 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.91) but higher in metropolitan teaching hospitals compared to metropolitan non-teaching hospitals (OR [2.39]; 95% CI, 1.43-3.99) and Level 1 trauma centers (OR [3.9]; 95%, 1.91-7.96) compared to non-trauma centers. Approximately 40% (n = 117,948) of those with only DFF received non-wrist radiographs and 19% (n = 55,236) underwent non-wrist/non-forearm imaging. Factors independently associated with additional imaging included gender, payer, patient and hospital rurality, hospital region, teaching status, ownership, and trauma center level. Nearly $3.6 million (2018 U.S. dollars) was spent on the aforementioned additional imaging. CONCLUSION: Despite the frequency of proximal imaging in patients with DFF, the incidence of APF was low. Further study to identify risk factors for APF based on mechanism and physical examination factors may result in reduced imaging and decreased avoidable healthcare spending.

Incidence of Low-energy Upper Extremity Fractures and the Risk Factors in Chinese People 50 years or Older.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of low-energy upper extremity fractures and identify the associated risk factors in Chinese people aged 50 years or older. METHODS: This study was a part of the Chinese National Fracture Survey, which was performed between January and May 2015 and aimed to investigate the epidemiology of traumatic fractures in China in 2014. The China National Fracture Study (CNFS) was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (number ChiCTR-EPR-15005878). A stratified multistage cluster randomized sampling method was used to recruit subjects and the survey was conducted through a questionnaire. The relevant results have been published elsewhere. In the current study, 154 099 Chinese men and women aged 50 years or older were included for data collection and analysis. Low-energy fractures were defined as fractures that were caused by simple falls from standing height. Individuals who had low-energy upper extremity fractures were included in the case group and the remainder were included in the control group. Univariate and multivariate logistics regression analysis models were constructed to investigate the independent risk factors, after adjustment for confounding variables. RESULTS: In total, 184 patients sustained low-energy upper extremity fractures in 2014, indicating that the overall incidence was 119.4/100 000 persons, with 57.4 and 180.9/100 000 person-years in men and women. Approximately 80% of fractures occurred at home and on the common road (other than high way). In men, alcohol consumption (OR, 2.12; 95%CI, 1.11-4.06), residence at ≥2nd floor without an elevator (OR, 2.86; 95%CI, 1.16-7.06), sleep duration<7 h/day (OR, 2.77; 95%CI, 1.42-5.37), and history of past fractures (OR, 3.10; 95%CI, 1.21-7.93) were identified as significant risk factors. In women, obesity (BMI ≥ 28.0) (OR, 1.86; 95%CI, 1.31-2.66), living in the central region in China (OR, 1.53; 95%CI, 1.01-2.31), living at a higher latitude (40°-49.9°N) (OR, 1.79; 95%CI, 1.02-3.14), alcohol consumption (OR, 2.40; 95%CI, 1.58-3.63), more births (OR, 1.45; 95%CI, 1.15-1.83), sleep duration <7 h/day (OR, 2.21; 95%CI, 1.53-3.20), and history of past fracture (OR, 2.70; 95%CI, 1.52-4.80) were identified as significant risk factors. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, health policies that focus on decreasing alcohol consumption and encouraging individuals to improve their quality and duration of sleep should be implemented in China. The significance of moving to a ground floor or to a building equipped with an elevator for men, and maintaining a healthy body weight for women should be emphasized to prevent upper extremity fractures.

Olecranon Fractures in Pediatric Patients With Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

BACKGROUND: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a hereditary disorder characterized by an abnormality of the quality or quantity of type I collagen, leading to bone fragility. Fractures in children with OI may result from minor trauma and have atypical patterns. Previous studies have found a strong relationship between olecranon fractures and OI in pediatric populations, but the characteristics of olecranon fractures within the OI patient population have not been fully described. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 358 children with a diagnosis of OI. Of those, 29 had at least 1 olecranon fracture. We collected general information relating to the patient's diagnosis of OI including OI type, fracture history, mobility, and bisphosphonate treatment. Information regarding the fracture, treatment, and the occurrence of bilateral fractures were recorded, as well as weight, height, and axial bone mineral density z-score from the time of the fracture. RESULTS: Within our OI population of 358 patients, we found an incidence of olecranon fracture of 8.1% (29 patients). The olecranon fractures occurred predominantly in the type I population (27 of 29). Within the population of patients specifically with OI type I (200 patients) the incidence is 13.5%, with 6% of OI type I patients sustaining bilateral olecranon fractures. The percentage of children with one olecranon fracture subsequently sustaining another on the contralateral side was 41.4%. The mean time to the second fracture was 5 months. The mean age at the time of the first olecranon fracture was 11.9 years old. The average axial bone mineral density z-score was -2.5 for primary fractures. All 12 patients who suffered a contralateral olecranon fracture had OI type I. CONCLUSIONS: Olecranon fractures in the OI population occur most commonly in patients with type I OI and during early adolescence, a period of rapid growth. There is a high rate of bilateral olecranon fractures, with the contralateral fracture occurring quickly after the primary fracture. Further studies may elucidate risk factors to determine which patients are most likely to fracture the contralateral side and therefore drive treatment and potentially prevention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-retrospective cohort study.

Comparative Study of Internal Fixation of the Ulna and Distal Ulna Resection in Patients Older Than 70 Years With Distal Radius and Distal Metaphyseal Ulna Fractures.

Background: Acute management of fractures of the distal ulna that are associated with fractures of the distal radius remains difficult, particularly in the elderly. Methods: In this study, we investigated whether internal fixation of the distal ulna is associated with a higher rate of complications than resection of the distal ulna in patients older than 70 years. Twenty-four consecutive patients were included in this study, 12 of whom had undergone open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the distal ulna, and 12 who had undergone distal ulna resection. Patients were retrospectively assessed for range of motion, grip strength, pain, and radiographic appearance. The functional outcome was evaluated by the Mayo Wrist Score. Complications were classified according to the Classification of Surgical Complications. Results: There were no differences in patient demographics between the 2 groups, except patient age. Clinical evaluation showed no difference at follow-up; however, there were significantly more complications associated with ORIF compared with resection. Conclusions: The results from our study show that women older than 70 years with fracture of the distal radius and distal ulna have a higher rate of complications if ORIF of the distal ulna is performed. Patients should be warned, by surgeons, of this in cases where ORIF of the distal ulna is suggested.

[Distal Forearm Fractures in Children and Adolescents: Frequency and Health Care Provision in Germany]. / Distale Unterarmfrakturen im Kindes- und Jugendalter: Häufigkeit und Versorgungsgeschehen in Deutschland.

BACKGROUND: Despite their frequent occurrence, there are no standardized recommendations for treating distal forearm fractures in growing children. Due to the marked remodelling capacity, conservative therapy is the first choice treatment of fractures in children. However, there are concerns that the possibilities of conservative treatments are often underestimated. Information on the health care situation in Germany on this issue is scarce. METHODS: The present study is based on routine data of a German Health Insurance fund, the Gmünder ErsatzKasse (GEK). Data on diagnoses and treatment of insured persons aged 0-15 years were analysed for the period from 01/07/2005 to 30/06/2009 regarding the frequency of distal forearm fractures and fracture treatment. RESULTS: The overall incidence rate was 56.8 per 10 000 person-years (64.5 in boys; 48.7 in girls). Most of the distal forearm fractures occurred during spring and summer months. The majority of the fractures were immobilized in a plaster cast (84.2%; n=2 609). 8.7% (n=270) of the fractures were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous osteosynthesis. 4.5% (n=138) were treated with closed reduction without any form of osteosynthesis. Only 1.4% (n=43) of the fractures were treated with open reduction. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that boys suffer distal forearm fractures more frequently than girls and that incidences tend to be higher in older children. In addition, analyses indicated seasonal differences between the age groups. In childhood, distal forearm fractures were treated more often conservatively than operatively. However, it was remarkable that fractures in the case of closed reduction were more frequently fixed with an osteosynthesis than just by immobilization in a plaster cast.