Elastic stable intramedullary nailing in paediatric forearm fractures: the rate of open reduction and complications

General anesthesia versus locoregional anesthesia in pediatric forearm fractures

Aim of the Study

Aim is to define whether the type of anesthesia during the reduction and fixation of a pediatric forearm fracture, can influence the fracture reduction technique.

Materials and Methods

All surgically treated forearm fractures were enrolled: patients underwent a different anesthesiology protocol depending on the on-call anesthesiologist: deep sedation in which the patient is still able to breathe with limited external support and nerve block (group A) and general anesthesia with curare (group B). Demographic data, type of fracture, surgical timing and technique, anesthesia type and timing, and clinical outcomes were recorded.

Outcomes

Of the total 326 patients considered, 228 children were treated by closed reduction (70%), and 98 children were treated by open reduction (30%). Of the latter, 75% of the fractures reduced open were of group A and 25% were of group B. In more detail, in group A, of the 162 patients, 73 (45%) required an open reduction, while 89 (55%) did not. In group B, of the 164 patients, 25 (15%) required an open reduction, while 139 (85%) did not. This resulted in being statistically significant (p = 0.001). No statistically significant results emerged from the data related to complication and range of motion apart from the pronation movement (p = 0.153).

Conclusion

According to our data, the use of curare, in a pediatric forearm fracture reduction and stabilization surgery, leads to a reduction in the number of open treatments. If deep sedation and nerve block are preferred to improve postoperative pain control, the technique and timing should be improved to facilitate reduction.

Elastic stable intramedullary nailing in paediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures - a retrospective analysis of 201 cases

BACKGROUND

Forearm shaft fractures are common injuries, often caused by falling from a fully-upright position or falling off a bike. They can be treated nonoperatively or surgically with intramedullary nailing or plates. The method of choice for treating pediatric forearm shaft fractures is the application of elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN)|. The aim of the study was to evaluate ESIN in pediatric patients with forearm shaft fractures based on radiological images, and determine the etiology and complication rate associated with the injury.

METHODS

The study included 201 patients, 30.5% female 69.5% male, aged 1 to 17 years (mean 9.1 years; SD = 3.2), all had been diagnosed with a fracture of the forearm shaft and had been treated surgically with ESIN. In addition, all possessed a complete set of X-ray images and had attended a minimum six-month follow-up examination of the forearm. Axial alignment was evaluated retrospectively in the anatomical (AP) and lateral (LAT) positions. In total, 402 radiographs were examined. Of the injuries, 68% occurred during sports activity and 75% involved both the radius and the ulna.

RESULTS

Union was observed in all cases. Mean axial alignment values in AP and LAT X-ray or both the ulna and radius were satisfactory. Axial alignment values were not influenced significantly by age, type of surgery, type of fracture or etiology. Plaster cast application (9.8% of cases) significantly influenced radius axial alignment. The complication rate was 11.4% (n = 23). Significantly more complications were observed in patients receiving open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) (p = 0.0025).

CONCLUSION

The ESIN technique is an effective treatment for forearm diaphyseal fractures in children, with good results regarding reduction and bone healing, indicated by x-ray.

Technical aspects that may affect the outcomes of pediatric patients with both-bone forearm diaphyseal fractures treated using elastic stable intramedullary nails

We assessed the radiological and functional results of pediatric both-bone forearm diaphyseal fractures treated using elastic stable intramedullary nails (ESINs), as well as factors affecting the results. In total, 36 patients (33 males and three females; mean age, 11.6 years) were included. The mean follow-up time was 41.5 (18-96) months. Patient demographic characteristics and the details of the surgical techniques were analyzed retrospectively. In addition to standard radiographic evaluations, the ratio between the nail diameter and medullary canal diameter (ND/MCD) was measured, as well as the maximal radial bowing. According to the criteria of Price and Flynn, 28 (77.8%) and eight (22.2%) patients had excellent and good results, respectively. There were no cases of nonunion or delayed union. There was no significant difference in functional or radiological results according to whether titanium nails (24 patients) or stainless steel nails (12 patients) were used (all P  > 0.05). Nail prebending (performed in 19 patients) did not affect the functional or radiological results ( P  > 0.05). Loss of reduction was observed in four patients with an ND/MCD ratio <40%. The maximal radial bowing improved in all patients. The mean change was significantly greater in patients with diastases and 22D/4.1 fractures. Regardless of nail type or prebending status, surgery using ESIN placement effectively treats both-bone forearm diaphyseal fractures; radial bow remodeling outcomes are excellent. We recommend that the ND/MCD ratio should be 40-70%.

Elastic stable intramedullary nailing versus Kirschner wire in the treatment of pediatric metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction fractures of the distal radius: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Several methods have been used for the treatment of pediatric distal radius fractures, such as the elastic stable intramedullary nail (ESIN), Kirschner wire (K-wire), and plate, but there has been no consensus about the optimum method. The purpose of this study was to compare ESIN and K-wire techniques used in metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction (MDJ) fractures of the pediatric distal radius.

METHODS

The data of patients who were treated at a children's hospital affiliated with Shandong University between August 2018 and January 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. The children were divided into the ESIN and K-wire groups. Clinical outcomes were measured by the Gartland and Werley scoring system. Variables were analyzed using a statistical approach between the two groups.

RESULTS

The study included 26 patients, of whom 11 were treated with K-wire and 15 with ESIN. At the final follow-up, all of the fractures were healed. There were no differences in terms of age, sex, fracture location, or wrist function score. However, the ESIN was superior to K-wire in operative time, fluoroscopic exposure, and estimated blood loss (EBL).

CONCLUSIONS

K-wire and ESIN are both effective methods in the treatment of MDJ fractures of the pediatric distal radius. The use of the ESIN technique represents less EBL, fluoroscopy exposure, and operation time compared with K-wire. We recommend osteosynthesis by ESIN rather than K-wires in patients with MDJ fractures of the distal radius.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, a case-control study.

Radial and ulnar medullary canal diameter in children: Anatomical limitations of elastic stable intramedullary nailing

INTRODUCTION

Surgery is inevitable for children who cannot achieve the ideal reduction in forearm fractures. The biggest limitation of the elastic stable intramedullary nail (ESIN) fixation method is the diameter of the medullary canal. This study aimed to measure the medullary canal diameters of the radius and ulna at different ages in children.

METHODS

The forearm radiographs of 540 children were retrospectively reviewed. All background characteristics, including weight, sex, maturity of the radius and ulna, and length of the radius and ulna, were measured and recorded. Children with radius and ulnar diameters shorter than 2 mm were analyzed by statistical regression analysis by SPSS software.

RESULTS

When we set 2 mm as the minimum medullary canal diameter, our results showed that patients aged 3-12 years had radius and ulnar diameters under this limit. The regression analysis of risk factors with the 2 mm diameter limitation had significant differences based on age (P = 0.006) and sex (P = 0.033). There was no significant difference between patients based on weight (P = 0.056), ulnar length (P = 0.946), radius length (P = 0.503), radius maturity (P = 0.655), or ulnar maturity (P = 0.774).

CONCLUSIONS

The average medullary canal diameter remained constant until 12 years of age. However, the average diameter length did not increase significantly after the age of 12 years. The incidence of medullary canal diameter shorter than 2 mm was correlated with age and sex. Our results suggest that surgeons should pay attention to the medullary diameter of the anteroposterior and lateral radiographs to determine the ESIN diameter.

Retrospective analysis: risk factors predicting failure of closed reduction in pediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures treated with elastic stable intramedullary nails (ESINs)

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Pilot Study and Preliminary Results of Biodegradable Intramedullary Nailing of Forearm Fractures in Children

(1) Background: Diaphyseal forearm fractures are a common injury in children and adolescents. When operative treatment is needed, elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) is the most common surgical procedure. Although there is no clear evidence, hardware removal after fracture healing is performed in many patients. Often, the primary minimal invasive incision needs to be widened during implant removal. In order to decrease the burden of care of pediatric fractures, significant efforts were made to develop biodegradable implants, which make hardware removal unnecessary. Our study will conduct an observational trial on the clinical use of the Activa IM-Nail™ in forearm fractures in children between 3 and 13 years of age. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the risks and benefits of the Activa IM-Nail™. Among other objectives, the rate of refracture will be determined. (2) Methods: An international Europe-based, multicenter, prospective, single-arm, open-label study will be performed to ascertain the rate of refracture and to determine the subjective benefits of Activa IM-Nail™ for patients, parents and other caregivers. The study will include clinical follow-up including early post-operative complication, radiographs until bony healing and an additional follow-up after 1 year. At this stage, preliminary results and early complications on 76 patients are analyzed in this study and presented. (3) Results: As of April 2022, 76 patients were enrolled as per study protocol. There were 31 girls (40.8%) and 45 boys (59.2%). The mean age at the time of inclusion was 8.9 years (±2.4 years). The mean operation time was 58.9 ± 22.9 min (range, 15–119 min). The mean follow-up time was 8.9 ± 5.1 months (range, 0.2–18.6). Up to now, one refracture has occurred in one child falling from a height of about one meter 7 months after index surgery (1/76; 1.3%). (4) Conclusion: The research project assesses the safety and effectiveness of Activa IM-Nails™ as part of the surgical treatment of dislocated forearm fractures in children in the context of a PMCF study. The use of Activa IM-Nails™ with regard to various objectives, including postoperative complications and refracture rate, seems to be equal to the standard titan ESIN procedure compared to the literature. Preliminary results are encouraging and are made available.

An intraoperative small distractor for non-open reduction and intramedullary fixation of pediatric displaced diaphyseal forearm fractures

This report describes technical tools for the treatment of pediatric displaced and unstable diaphyseal forearm fractures, which are difficult to treat by manual closed reduction. During intramedullary fixation with Kirchner wires, we propose our original small distractor as an intraoperative distraction apparatus without open reduction. This apparatus is made using parts of the Ilizarov external fixator. Apart from general external fixation devices, our apparatus is adequate for the effective shortening and lateral dislocation of the fracture site. This adequacy is not only because of the three-dimensional control by ball joints but also owing to the gradual adjustment structure of the Quick adjust strut (Orthofix, Verona, Italy), which allows tight and fine stretching, thus making the distractor an effective reduction tool. Our findings show the feasibility and usefulness of our reduction technique and small distractor. Our small distractor is a useful intraoperative distraction apparatus without open reduction for pediatric displaced and unstable diaphyseal forearm fractures that cannot be treated by manual closed reduction. In this report, we describe the distractor, the closed reduction technique, and the clinical results of four representative cases.

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.

Radius shortening as a limiting factor for closed reduction in pediatric forearm fractures

INTRODUCTION

Diaphyseal forearm fractures in skeletally immature patients are common injuries that account for 30% of upper extremity fractures in this age group. There are cases with unstable injuries or unacceptable reductions, in which surgical resolution by reduction and stabilisation with percutaneous elastic endomedullary nailing is indicated. One of the advantages of this system is that it avoids an approach to the fracture site, allowing closed reduction in the vast majority of fractures. However, it is not always possible to achieve an acceptable closed reduction and opening of the fracture site is necessary. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are preoperative factors to predict the difficulty of performing closed reduction in these patients.

METHODS

A retrospective study of skeletally immature patients with acute diaphyseal forearm fractures treated with elastic endomedullary nailing by the same paediatric surgeon was performed. The primary outcome variable was defined as the need for open reduction; considered as a direct surgical approach to the fracture site. Demographic characteristics of the included patients and radiographic characteristics of the fracture were analysed.

RESULTS

We found that the median percentage of preoperative radial shortening in the closed reduction and open reduction groups was 1 and 5%, respectively; resulting in a statistically significant difference (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Radial shortening on preoperative radiographs predicts an increased risk of requiring an open reduction of the fracture (39% association); thus we understand that this variable should be considered by the general traumatologist as a prognostic factor in defining the referral of these patients.

Predictors of Open Reduction in Pediatric Femur Fractures Treated With Flexible Nails

BACKGROUND

Closed reduction (CR) is sufficient to reduce the majority of femur fractures treated with flexible intramedullary nailing (FIN). No previous study has examined factors associated with failed CR of pediatric femoral shaft fractures treated with FIN. We sought to determine preoperative factors associated with failed CR. We hypothesized that fracture, patient, and surgeon characteristics would impact the need for open reduction (OR).

METHODS

A retrospective review of children treated for femur fracture between 2012 and 2017 at a tertiary pediatric hospital was performed. Comparisons were made between 2 groups: FIN with CR group and FIN that required OR group. Demographic and baseline characteristics were compared between treatment groups using either χ tests or Fisher exact tests for categorical variables and general linear models for continuous variables. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using univariate logistic regression tests.

RESULTS

Of 449 consecutive pediatric femur fractures treated at our center, 85 children were treated with FIN and constituted the study cohort. CR failed in 14 patients (16.5%) necessitating OR of the fracture site. Significant differences between study groups were found in fracture location (P=0.018), the mechanism (P=0.003), and displacement on the anteroposterior radiograph (P=0.027). Surgical time was found to be longer in the OR group (P=0.010). We identified 3 preoperative predictors of OR for FIN including fractures caused by high energy mechanisms (odds ratio=7.5), distal third fractures (odds ratio=15.3), and fracture displacement on the anteroposterior view (odds ratio=1.06). Surgeon years in practice, patient weight, age, and time from injury to surgery were not associated with OR.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents 3 preoperative risk factors that predict the need for OR of femur fractures treated with FIN. Surgical time was longer in cases that required OR. Our findings suggest that surgeons should avoid lengthy attempts at CR and consider a lower threshold for OR of at-risk fractures or use another technique other than flexible nails.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III-prognostic.

Iatrogenic Distal Radial Physeal Fracture During Insertion of Intramedullary Fixation for a Both Bone Forearm Fracture: A Case Report

CASE

A 12-year-old boy with an isolated both bone forearm fracture was treated with closed reduction and flexible intramedullary nailing 11 days postinjury and after the loss of initial fracture alignment. On nail insertion, an intraoperative distal radial physeal fracture was encountered, thereby warranting modification in treatment.

CONCLUSION

Physeal injury is a rare intraoperative complication of intramedullary fixation of forearm fractures. This report provides insight regarding the management and prevention of this rare complication.

Elastic stable intramedullary nailing for treatment of pediatric forearm fractures: A 15-year single centre retrospective study of 173 cases

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes and complications in children treated with elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) for forearm fracture.

METHODS

The study included 173 patients (126 men and 47 women; median age: 11 years (range: 3-17 years) treated with ESIN for forearm fracture between May 2002 and May 2018. Immobilization was not performed after the surgery. The median follow-up was 68 months (range: 3-161 months). The etiology, healing time, and complications were recorded.

RESULTS

All patients achieved complete radiographic healing at a median of 6.8 weeks (range: 4-11 weeks). The most common injuries were sport related (n=65) and by falling from standing height (n=57), followed by injuries from bicycle riding, motorbike accidents, road traffic accidents, and fights. Fifteen (8.76%) postoperative complications were recorded: eight entry-site skin irritations, two cases of skin infection, two refractures, and one case each of nail migration, injury of ulnar nerve, and pseudoarthrosis. All complications, except cases of refractures and pseudoarthrosis, were treated conservatively, with no long-term consequences for the patients. Patients with refractures and pseudoarthrosis were reoperated, and complete function of the extremities was fully restored.

CONCLUSION

ESIN for treatment of forearm fractures in children shows good functional and cosmetic results. This is a minimally invasive, cast-free, simple, and reproducible technique, with a low complication rate. Owing to these excellent objective and subjective results, surgical stabilization of the forearm fracture using ESIN is recommended in children and adolescents.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, Therapeutic study.

The Association of Metal Frame Construct of ESIN and radiographic bone healing of pediatric forearm fractures

INTRODUCTION

The gold-standard surgical procedure of both-bone forearm shaft fracture repair is elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN). Disadvantages effects of ESIN have suggested to be a consequence of inappropriate surgical techniques, while recommendations are not always followed. The purpose of the study was to analyze the effect of inadequate metal frame construct on impaired fracture healing, refracture and changing alignment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

It is a population-based study including all consecutive patients, aged less than 16 years, who had been treated for forearm shaft fracture by ESIN during the ten-year period 2009-2018. Altogether 71 patients were included. Non-union, delayed union, and re-fracture during the following 12 months were taken as the main outcome, while inferior metal frame construct of ESIN and the surgical technique characteristics were taken the explanatory factors. Radiographic loss of reduction was a secondary outcome and a change >5° in alignment at any postoperative follow-up exam was recognized.

RESULTS

Two out of 71 fractures (3%) failed to unite, and ossifying operation was needed. Five cases (7%) showed delayed bone healing, but they ossified in five months without any intervention. These seven patients (10%) had been treated more often with larger nails (> 0.7x MCD) (p = 0.027) and by open reduction (p = 0.02), compared with thinner nails and closed reduction, respectively. Two (3%) patients had a second fracture; however, they happened 2 years after the initial injury. Other surgery or fracture related factors didn't associate with impaired ossifying. Regarding the secondary outcome, altogether 24 (35%) of the analyzed 67 patients showed >5° change in alignment during the postoperative follow-up but only one patient had clinically significant instability that required re-reduction. The alignment changed more usually in distal-third fractures, compared with middle or proximal third fractures (p = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

ESIN resulted in good radiographic bone healing in the vast majority (90%) of the patients and completely perfect metal frame construct was not required.

Flexible intramedullary nailing in the treatment of forearm fractures in children and adolescents, a systematic review

Background

Forearm fractures are common injuries among children and adolescents. Traditionally, they were managed conservatively with closed reduction and cast immobilization. The last decade there is an increasing trend towards operative treatment. The treatment modalities available include plate and screws, flexible intramedullary nailing and external fixation devices - rarely used nowadays. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the indications of flexible intramedullary nailing in the childhood population, to compare its results with plating and to provide detailed information considering technical pitfalls and complications that may be encountered.

Materials and methods

An extensive search was performed in the electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE) from their inception up to June 2019 in order articles relevant to this review to be retrieved. The search terms used were the following: forearm fracture, both-bone fracture, pediatric, nailing, fixation. 56 articles were considered suitable for inclusion.

Results

The indications for surgery are unstable and irreducible fractures, open and fractures with neurovascular compromise. As far as the fracture site is concerned, radius and ulna shaft fractures, radial head and Monteggia fractures are suitable for nailing.Although plates and nailing have comparable clinical outcomes and complication rates, flexible intramedullary nailing has the advantage of smaller incisions, less tissue disruption, shorter operative and hospital times and an ease in hardware removal.Controversy exists over the need of single or double nailing in both-bone fractures of the forearm. In addition, there is no consensus as to which is the preferred nail diameter. Yet, all the authors agree that open reduction must be considered after certain failed closed reductions in order compartment syndrome to be avoided.Flexible intramedullary nailing is not complication-free. Skin irritation, Extensor Pollicis Longus rupture, superficial radial nerve injury, delayed union or even nonunion, malunion and refractures are some of the complications that may be encountered.

Discussion

Flexible nails are excellent implants combining stability and elasticity. The procedure of passing the nails across radius and ulna is relatively simple, requiring a small learning curve. Flexible intramedullary nailing is an excellent treatment modality for the treatment of forearm fractures in children and adolescents.

Buried intramedullary implants for paediatric forearm fractures. Does the refracture rate improve?

INTRODUCTION

Unstable forearm fractures may require surgical management by reduction and osteosynthesis with intramedullary needles. This fixation should be removed early if it has been left exposed, but this could increase the risk of refracture in a bone in the period of remodelling. As an alternative we can keep the needles, buried subcutaneously, for a longer time, to protect the bone callus.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether there are differences between using exposed needles with respect to burying them in paediatric patients with forearm fractures. Our hypothesis is that by burying the needles we keep them longer by reducing forearm refractures.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We present a cohort of 75 paediatric patients with a forearm fracture between 2010 and 2016. Demographic data, surgical technique, complications and patient follow-up were collected.

RESULTS

The implants were left exposed in 50 patients and 25 buried. The average time of removal of the exposed implants was 6.8weeks and 17.6weeks in the buried ones. No significant differences were found in terms of consolidation (P=.19) or immobilization time (P=.22). Regarding refractures, a greater number was observed in the exposed osteosynthesis group (4patients) compared to only one case with buried osteosynthesis, but there were no significant differences (P=.49). No postsurgical complications were detected and the functionality was excellent at the end of the follow-up in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Leaving implants buried in relation to skin exposed does not cause a decrease in the number of refractures or other complications, with adequate patient functionality in both cases.

Plate Fixation for Unstable Displaced Distal Radius Fractures in Children

Background  Distal radius fractures in children are normally treated by plaster immobilization. For displaced unstable distal radius fractures, closed reduction and Kirschner wire (k-wire) fixation can be performed. Disadvantages of k-wire fixation are the need for postoperative plaster treatment for several weeks, which may induce stiffness, and the risks of complications such as tendon irritation and pin-track infections. More invasive volar plate fixation is less popular, although this allows for direct mobilization and enhances anatomical reduction. Purpose  To present the functional outcomes of pediatric patients treated with volar plate fixation for unstable displaced distal radius fractures. Patients and Methods  A retrospective cohort study of all consecutive pediatric patients between September 2010 and July 2017 was performed. A total of 26 patients with a median age of 12.5 years were included. The primary objective was functional outcome determined by the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaire. Secondary objectives were range of motion, grip strength, radiological parameters, complications, and incidence of plate removal. Results  Median PRWE score was 3 after a median follow-up of 29 months. Range of motion and grip strength did not differ significantly between the injured and uninjured wrists. No wound infections were found. Plate removal was performed in 15 patients (58%). Conclusion  Volar plate fixation for unstable displaced distal radius fractures in children provides good functional and radiological outcomes with minor complications. Level of evidence  This is a Level IV cohort study.

Intramedullary nailing of forearm shaft fractures by biodegradable compared with titanium nails: Results of a prospective randomized trial in children with at least two years of follow-up

There are disadvantages in Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing (ESIN) of forearm-shaft fractures, such as the need of implant removal. Biodegradable Intramedullary Nailing (BIN) is a new technique developed for these fractures. We hypothesized that there is no difference in rotational ROM between the patients treated by BIN vs. ESIN. A randomized, controlled clinical trial included patients, aged 5-15 years, requiring surgery for forearm-shaft fractures. Biodegradable polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) nails (Activa IM-Nail™, Bioretec Ltd., Finland) were used in 19 and titanium nails (TEN^®, SynthesDePuy Ltd., USA) in 16 patients. Rotational ROM of forearm after two years was the primary outcome. Elbow and wrist ROM, pain and radiographic bone healing were secondary outcomes. Forearm rotation was mean 162° and 151° in BIN and ESIN groups, respectively (P = 0.201). No difference between the groups was found in any other ROMs. Three cases in the ESIN vs. none in the BIN group reported pain (P = 0.113). There was no clinically significant residual angulation in radiographs. Two adolescents in the BIN group vs. none in the ESIN (P = 0.245) were excluded because of implant failure; another two with complete bone union suffered from re-injury. Therefore, satisfactory implant stability among older children needs to be studied.

The Community Orthopaedic Surgeon Taking Trauma Call: Pediatric Forearm Shaft Fracture Pearls and Pitfalls

Pediatric forearm shaft fractures are the third most common fracture in children, and the forearm is the third most mobile joint in the body (with a nearly 180 degree arc of motion). The goals of treatment are aimed squarely at achieving satisfactory anatomic alignment (within defined parameters) as the consequences of malunion can be permanent forearm stiffness and deformity. Nonoperative treatment approaches still dominate care of the youngest age groups while surgical intervention has become increasingly common in older children. This article will offer evidence and experience-based tips intended to benefit the community orthopedic surgeon caring for children during the course of their on-call duties.