Author(s): Vishwanath C and Satheesh GS

Abstract: Introduction: Injuries to the shaft of the radius and ulnar are the most common reasons for children to receive orthopedic care and are among the most challenging to the orthopedist because of the treatment complexity and the risk of complication. Operative treatment of radial and ulnar shaft fractures usually is reserved for fractures that develop unacceptable displacement during non-operative management. Elastic nailing of diaphyseal forearm fracture of children is safe, less invasive, cosmetically better, has short hospital stay, lower risk of stiffness and other complications. Objectives: Objective of the study was to evaluate the functional outcome and results of elastic nailing of diaphyseal forearm fracture in children. To know and prevent the complication of closed reduction and internal fixation of diaphyseal forearm fracture in children. To reduce operative exposure to minimal, reduce hospital stay and to reduce the rotational and angular deformities of forearm. Methods: The study was conducted in patients treated for diaphyseal forearm fracture at Adhichunchangiri Institute of Medical Science, BG Nagar from the month of May 2013 to Dec 2016. 50 patients were taken for the study. Results: 50 cases of fractures of both bones forearms were treated by elastic nailing. The follow-up period ranged from 10-16 weeks. Male were predominate (70%) and right forearm affection more (56%) than left. Most of the fractures are due to RTA (44%) rather than self-fall and sports injury. The average age was 11.25 yrs with fracture being most common in 10-15 yrs age group. Most of the fractures of both bones of forearm were middle third and the fracture pattern transverse was commonest. 40 patients had sound union in less than 12 weeks, remaining 10 patients had union by 14 weeks. The results were based on Price et al scoring system and in our study there were 36 patients with excellent results and 09 with good and 04 patients with fair results and one patient with poor results. Conclusion: Our study was found to be satisfactory and hence we recommend elastic nailing for operative treatment of diaphyseal fracture of both bones forearm in children.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33545/orthor.2017.v1.i2a.9