- See
-
Pediatric Both Bone Frx
-
Deforming Forces:
-
Discussion of Blount Fractures:
-
Implants for Fractures of the Radius and Ulna:
-
Plating Techniques:
- Indications for Operative Treatment:
- all displaced, unstable fractures of the radius and ulna in adults;
-
radial shaft fractures: all displaced fractures of the radius with greater than 10 deg
of angulation or w/ subluxation of proximal or distal
R-U joint
-
ulnar shaft fracture: isolated frxs of the ulna with angulation greater than 10 deg;
- Pre Op Planning:
-
tourniquet:
- often a tourniquet is not required for ORIF of these fractures (bleeding is not a problem), but if tourniquet
is used, it should be left elevated until the wound is closed;
- release of the tourniquet will cause some forearm swelling making wound closure difficult;
-
open fractures: (see
Gustillo Classification)
- open fractures should be treated as an emergency, but fixation may be delayed upto 24 hrs;
- immediate ORIF in grade I, II, and IIIa fractures can have good results (low infection rate);
- autogenous bone grafting can be carried out early for grade I and II fractures (if needed);
- grade IIIb and IIIc fractures had poor results;
- these fractures were serially debrided until judged clean, only at which time was bone grafting performed;
- despite these measures, infections may occur in upto 3/4 of these patients;
- wound closure:
- some surgeons will close surgical incisions, where as, traumatic wounds are left open and are closed by delayed suture
at a second or third look debridement;
- 2 days of antibiotics should follow each wound debridement;
- consider
antibiotic bead pouch between debridements;
- references:
Immediate internal fixation of open fractures of the diaphysis of the forearm.
The necessity of acute bone grafting in diaphyseal forearm fractures: A retrospective review. RR Wright et al. J. Orthop. Trauma. 1997. Vol 11, No 4. p 288-294.
- Surgical Approach:
-
Approach to the Ulna:
-
Anterior Approach: (Henry);
- main disadvantage is postoperative finger stiffness due to stripping of FDS/FPL origin;
-
Dorsal Approach (Thompson):
- main disadvantage is possible injury to the posterior interosseous nerve;
- Surgical Reduction:
- both frx are exposed and provisionally reduced before either fixation is completed;
- the frx that has the least comminution (usually the ulna) is fixed first;
- if reduction is impossible the plate on the other bone is loosened and second bone reduced;
- after reduction and provisional fixation of both bones, pronation and supination are examined (if OK, all the screws are inserted);
-
comminution and segmental bone loss:
- comminution makes it difficult to restore bone to length;
- in this situation interosseous membrane is identified, proximally & distally, & used guide in restoring bones to adequate length;
-
bone grafting:
- it is generally recommended that
bone grafting be applied to both bone forearm fractures w/ more than 50% comminution;
- the indications for bone grafting have recently been challenged by Wright et al 1997, who were unable to find any advantages
to bone grafting in a retrospective review of 198 both bone fractures;
- if bone graft is used, it should be away from interosseous membrane to decrease risk of synostosis (this complication is more common in head injured patients);
-
ref:
-
The management of segmental bone loss associated with forearm fractures.
-
Comminuted fractures of the proximal radius and ulna.
-
Cross-union complicating fracture of the forearm. Part I: Adults.
- The necessity of acute bone grafting in diaphyseal forearm fractures: A retrospective review. RR Wright et al. J. Orthop. Trauma. 1997. Vol 11, No 4. p 288-294.
-
Fracture-related and implant-specific factors influencing treatment results of comminuted diaphyseal forearm fractures without bone grafting.
- Surgical Fixation:
- Wound Closure:
- closure of both incisoins without tension may be difficult;
- ulnar would should preferably be closed first, since it is located close to the subcutaneous border;
- radial wound, however, can be left open over a portion of its length, if the metal implant is safely placed under the muscle;
- Post Operative Care, Complications, and Evaluation:
The effect on supination-pronation of angular malalignment of fractures of both bones of the forearm.
Forearm fractures: treatment by rigid fixation with early motion.
Long-term follow-up of forearm bone diaphyseal plating.
Operative treatment of malunited fractures of the forearm.
Refracture of bones of the forearm after the removal of compression plates
Immediate internal fixation of open fractures of the diaphysis of the forearm.
O'Brien ET:
Fractures of the hand and wrist region, in Rockwood CA Jr,
Wilkins KE, King RE (eds): Fractures in Children.
Philadelphia, JB
Lippincott, 1984, vol 3, pp 279-294.
Comminuted fractures of the proximal radius and ulna.
Refracture of bones of the forearm after the removal of compression plates
The effect of malunion on functional outcome after plate fixation of fractures of both bones of the forearm in adults.
The effect on supination-pronation of angular malalignment of fractures of both bones of the forearm.
Ununited Diaphyseal Forearm Fractures with Segmental Defects: Plate Fixation and Autogenous Cancellous Bone-Grafting.
