Forearm longitudinal discrepancy after forearm fractures' fixation in pediatric: A case series study

Angulated wrist and forearm fractures are among the most common pediatric fractures, and they often require closed reduction with anesthesia. There are several issues associated with pediatric anesthesia including the low but non-zero risk of significant complications, increased physician and staff time and effort, and increased cost. Despite these issues, there have not been any studies to prove that using anesthesia results in better outcomes or higher caregiver satisfaction in comparison to performing closed reductions without anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of closed reductions of angulated pediatric wrist and forearm fractures and to determine caregiver satisfaction with an anesthesia-free reduction technique. This study included 54 pediatric patients with closed, angulated fractures of the radius or combined radial and ulnar shafts. All closed reductions were performed by a single pediatric fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon in the office setting without any anesthesia. Radiographs were obtained to assess the quality of the reduction. At the first follow-up visit, caregivers were asked about their interim use of pain medications. Caregivers were later surveyed about patient use of analgesics and their satisfaction with an anesthesia-free reduction technique. The average age of the 54 patients in this study was 9 years (1.8 to 16.8y). Thirty-three fractures were combined radial and ulnar forearm shaft fractures, 18 were distal radius fractures, and 3 were radial shaft fractures. ≤10 degrees of residual angulation was achieved in 98% of patients. Nine percent (5/54) of the patients used ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain control. Seventy eight percent (42/54) of the caregivers responded to the telephone and email surveys. All responding caregivers stated that the patients returned to full function and had satisfactory outcomes. Ninety eight percent (41/42) of the caregivers stated they would choose the same anesthesia-free reduction technique again. Closed reduction of angulated pediatric wrist and forearm fractures in the office without anesthesia can achieve satisfactory reductions and high caregiver satisfaction while eliminating the risks and complications associated with pediatric anesthesia. Level IV Case series.

BackgroundForearm fractures are the most common fractures in children (23% of all fractures). Basically there are two treatment options available for diaphyseal forearm fractures in children: closed reduction with cast immobilisation (conservative therapy) and the elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN). Treatment decision is influenced by the doctor's estimation of fracture instability. Stable fractures can be treated conservatively whereas instable forearm shaft fractures can be treated according the following three treatment strategies:conservative therapy in an outpatient settingconservative therapy in the operating room in attendance to change to ESIN in case that no stabilisation can be achieved with cast immobilisationimmediate treatment with ESIN in the operating room.ObjectivesAim of this Health Technology Assessment (HTA) report is to assess and report the published evidence concerning effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ESIN as a treatment option for diaphyseal forearm fractures in children and to identify future research need. Important parameters for the assessment of effectiveness are objective parameters (axis deviation, losses of motion, and numbers of reductions in case of redislocations) and subjective parameters (pain or impairment in quality of life). Furthermore, a health economic evaluation shall be done which refers to the costs of the different therapy strategies.MethodsAn extensive, systematic literature search in medical, economic, and HTA literature databases was performed. Relevant data were extracted and synthesised.ResultsThree cohort studies and seven case series have been identified. Controlled clinical studies, systematic reviews and/or HTA reports that gave evidence to answer the own study question have not been found. The identified studies partly differed in respect of defined indication for ESIN, study population and treatment strategies. For that reason comparability of results was limited. In the majority of cases the publications reported a successful consolidation of fractures treated with ESIN. The cohort studies reported no differences in mobility after treatment with ESIN compared to patients who were treated conservatively. No publications that argue health economic aspects of the ESIN in children could be identified in the literature search. A cost data assessment conducted by the authors of this report showed that ESIN is associated with higher costs compared to the other treatment strategies (without considering long term costs due to reduction in case of redisplacement).ConclusionsLittle evidence for a dominance of ESIN in treating forearm shaft fractures of children compared to conservative therapy could be found.Accomplishment of ESIN without complications causes more costs than conservative therapy both in outpatient and in inpatient setting. However, if fracture stabilisation cannot be achieved by conservative therapy, further interventions will be necessary. They will result in a burden for the patients and higher costs.

Objective: To check the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of undisplaced partial forearm fractures in children. Methods: A case series study was conducted in AL-Khansa'a and Al-Zahrawy teaching hospitals in Mosul over a period between November 2005 to October 2006. One hundred patients (54 male and 46 female) between the age of 2-15 years suffering from high clinical suspicion of non displaced forearm fractures were first examined by ultrasound (Sonoline SL 100, Siemens Nurnberg Germany) with 7.5MHZ linear array transducer by a radiologist who gave an immediate report. Standard two views radiography of the forearm then obtained. The radiographs were reported by another senior radiologist. Ultrasonographic and radiographic reports were then compared.Results: One hundred patients were examined, 54 male and 46 female with male/female ratio 1:1.7. The type of fractures found were 46 torus type, 48 greenstick and 6 were plastic deformity. Subperiosteal haematoma was encountered in 100% of the fractures, bending sign was 100% and finally reverberation echoes was shown in all the fracture types too.Conclusion: Ultrasound is a useful method in the diagnosis of undisplaced forearm fractures in children. It is an easy, safe , fast and in-expensive procedure. More studies are indicated to confirm its reliability in different pediatric fractures.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> A retrospective case series study was done on forearm diaphyseal fracture in adolescents treated with TENS (titanium elastic nailing system). Purpose of the study was analysis of functional outcome of TENS in forearm diaphyseal fractures in children between 12-18 year age group.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> We retrospectively evaluated 30 patients operated by same senior surgeon during the period from March 2014 to February 2015 with closed diaphyseal forearm fractures in age group 12–18 years treated with TENS in whom closed reduction could not be achieved. Nail diameter taken as 33-40% of narrowest diameter of diaphysys were introduced proximally in ulna and distally in radius under image intensifier in closed manner. Postoperatively, patients encouraged for active shoulder, elbow and finger movements and suture removal done after 2 weeks. Patients were followed up for minimum period of one year. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> In terms of union and range of motion using Anderson et al criteria 24 patients had excellent results, 4 patients had satisfactory results and one patient had poor result having non-union of ulna. Two patients had superficial infection at the nail entry site which eventually resolved. One patient lost for follow up.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> We conclude that TENS in both bone forearm fractures in adolescent age group in terms of union and range of motion is a minimally invasive and effective method of fixation.</p>

Performance and Return to Sport After Hand, Wrist, and Forearm Fractures in the National Hockey League

Forearm fractures are a common pediatric injury. Currently, there is no consensus on treatment for fractures that recur following initial surgical fixation. The objective of this study was to investigate the subsequent fracture rate and patterns and describe the treatment of these forearm fractures. We retrospectively identified patients who underwent surgical treatment for an initial forearm fracture at our institution between 2011 and 2019. Patients were included if they sustained a diaphyseal or metadiaphyseal forearm fracture that was initially treated surgically with a plate and screw construct (plate) or elastic stable intramedullary nail (ESIN), and if they subsequently sustained another fracture that was treated at our institution. A total of 349 forearm fractures were treated surgically with ESIN or a plate fixation. Of these, 24 sustained another fracture, yielding a subsequent fracture rate of 10.9% for the plate cohort and 5.1% for the ESIN cohort ( P =0.056). The majority of plate refractures (90%) occurred at the proximal or distal plate edge, while 79% of the fractures treated previously with ESINs occurred at the initial fracture site ( P <0.001). Ninety percent of plate refractures required revision surgery, with 50% underwent plate removal and conversion to ESIN, and 40% underwent revision plating. Within the ESIN cohort, 64% were treated nonsurgically, 21% underwent revision ESINs, and 14% underwent revision plating. Tourniquet time for revision surgeries were shorter for the ESIN cohort (46 vs. 92min; P =0.012). In both cohorts, all revision surgeries had no complications and healed with evidence of radiographic union. However, 9 patients (37.5%) underwent implant removal (3 plates and 6 ESINs) after subsequent fracture healing. This is the first study to characterize subsequent forearm fractures following both ESIN and plate fixation and to describe and compare treatment options. Consistent with the literature, refractures following surgical fixation of pediatric forearm fractures may occur at a rate ranging from 5% to 11%. ESINs are both less invasive at the time of initial surgery and can often be treated nonoperatively if there is a subsequent fracture, while plate refractures are more likely to be treated with a second surgery and have a longer average surgery time. Level IV-retrospective case series.

Traumatologie et hockey sur glace

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the hypothesis that pediatric forearm fractures resulting from ground-level falls are associated with increased weight status (weight for age/sex percentile ≥ 95th) in comparison with those resulting from major trauma. This is a retrospective case-control study nested within a case series of 929 children, ages 0 to 17 years, with self-identified residence in Washington, DC, who were treated for isolated forearm fractures in an urban, academic pediatric emergency department between 2003 and 2006. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to test for the association of weight status with mechanism of injury while controlling for sex, age, race/ethnicity, bone fractured, and season. Of 929 forearm fractures, there were 226 (24.3%) with ground-level falls and 54 (5.8%) with major trauma. Compared with children with forearm fractures resulting from major trauma, ground-level fall cases were significantly older (10.4 [3.4] vs 7.4 [4.2] years, P < 0.05), had greater adjusted odds of having a weight for age/sex of 95th percentile or higher (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-6.5), and had significantly more radius-only fractures (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-4.7). These groups did not differ in sex, race/ethnicity, or injury season. Ground-level falls are a common mechanism of pediatric forearm fracture and are significantly associated with increased weight status and radius-only fractures. These results suggest the need for further investigation into obesity and bone health in pediatric patients with forearm fractures caused by ground-level falls.

Objective: To look for outcome and analyze the factors influencing outcome of flexible nailing in forearm fractures in childrenmanaged at tertiary care orthopedics unit.Study Design: Case Series.Place and Duration of Study: Orthopedic Department, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jul 2022 toMar2023.Methodology: A prospective case series was conducted on the pediatric patients managed for forearm fractures with flexiblenailing in our orthopedics unit. Outcome was assessed at 10 weeks after the surgical procedure. Poor outcome was defined ifthere was non-union on x-ray, pain on range of motion or skin erosion at site of nailing. Factors like age, gender, poly traumaand anemia at time of presentation were associated with poor outcome in children recruited in this case series.Results A total of 30 children with forearm fractures treated with flexible nails were included in the final analysis. Out of them23(76.6%) were male while 07(23.4%) were females. Mean age of the children recruited in study was 5.83±2.16 years. 20(66.7%)children with forearm fracture treated with flexible nails had good outcome after surgery while 10(33.3%) had poor outcome.Chi-square analysis revealed that poly trauma and presence of anemia at the time of presentation were the factors statisticallysignificant associated with poor outcome (p-value&lt;0.001) in our study participants.Conclusion: Skin erosion at skin site was a common finding seen in pediatric patients managed for forearm fractures withflexible nailing. Patients with poly-trauma and anemia at the time of presentation were more at risk of having poor outcomeafter flexible nailing.

Background: A prospective analysis of a case series of diaphyseal forearm fractures in children treated with titanium elastic nails is presented. Methods: Between 2012 and 2014, 45 children aged 5-15 years with displaced diaphyseal forearm fractures underwent titanium elastic nailing. Both bones were fractured in 32 patients, ten fractured only the radius, and three experienced ulna fracture. Eighteen children had unstable irreducible fractures, twenty had loss of reduction, and seven had open fractures. Titanium elastic nails were used to stabilize the fractures. All fractures were immobilized postoperatively with an above-elbow plaster slab for 2 weeks till the swelling is completely resolved followed by encouraging range of motion exercises. Results: Closed reduction and TENS was successful in 33 cases, including 25 double-bone fractures and eight single-bone fractures. Open reduction was unavoidable in seven fractures of both bones, and in five single-bone open fractures. Bone union was achieved in all patients at an average of 7 weeks. Conclusion:Titanium elastic nails fixation of pediatric forearm fractures revealed several advantages, a small incision for insertion, a low rate of complications, unhindered bone healing, and good clinical and radiological results. Key words: Diaphyseal; Radius and ulna; Pediatric; Forearm fractures; Fracture fixation; TENS

Primary Subject area Emergency Medicine - Paediatric Background Forearm fractures account for 45% of pediatric fractures, mainly involving the distal third of the forearm. Some will be displaced, requiring a closed reduction and plaster cast immobilization. Re-displacement during follow-up is reported in 7 to 35% of the cases. Objectives To identity discrepancies between hospital guidelines and patient management for forearm fracture reduction in children aged 1 to 17. Design/Methods This retrospective case series was conducted by a medical audit committee of CHU Sainte-Justine for the purpose of improving quality of care. This project aimed to evaluate the clinical course following closed reduction of forearm fractures in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) or to the orthopedic clinic in a pediatric tertiary care centre. Children aged 1 to 17 years old presenting between January 1 and December 31 2019 were considered for this study. We selected a convenience sample of 50 consecutive cases and reviewed their medical and radiological data from first consultation through follow-ups. The management of these cases was evaluated against established hospital guidelines for primary or secondary fracture reduction (primary outcome). The angulation and displacement of fractures were measured using original imaging taken prior to reduction, and at follow-up. At their last appointment, all patients’ range of motion and angulation were assessed. Complications of sedation and immobilization were also reviewed. Descriptive statistics were performed for all variables. Results From the 106 radiologic files retrieved of closed forearm fracture reduction using fluoroscopy, a convenient sample of 50 cases was reviewed. The mean age was 7 years and 60% of them were boys. Forty-eight (96%) had an initial fracture reduction consistent with the local practice guideline for need of reduction. Sedation adverse events were noted in 10 patients (20%), most often nausea, but no severe adverse event was identified. According to the local practice guideline, 13 (26%) patients suffered re-displacement at follow-up. Of these, 3 underwent a second closed reduction, 4 had a gypsotomy, and 6 had no attempt at a second reduction. Five patients (10%) had a second reduction during follow-up, despite the displacement not meeting the local guideline criteria for reduction. Cast-related issues were reported in 14 patients (28%), with the molding technique accounting for most of the problems observed. At their final follow-up, 40 patients (80%) had an excellent or good functional outcome. In the remaining 10 (20%), the range of motion was more limited, but measurements were done for many of them following immediate cast removal. Forty patients (80%) had either a normal or near normal alignment at their final follow-up. In the remaining 10 (20%), none of these patients had an angulation greater than 20 degrees. Conclusion From this audit of patients presenting with displaced forearm fractures in a pediatric tertiary care centre, the initial management of patients was in accordance with the established guidelines of practice in 96% of cases. Re-displacements at follow-up were identified in a quarter of patients. Nonetheless, angulation and the final range of motion of the wrist were favorable shortly after cast removal. Further improvement in the management could be achieved by improving the technique of cast immobilization.

Occipitocervical fusion (OCF) and upper cervical posterior fixation can be performed to resolve occipitocervical or upper cervical instability. The cervical vertebral realignment following these procedures can result in dysphagia, which can decline patients' postoperative status. Several radiological parameters on cervical lateral X-ray images were proposed to predict and avoid this postoperative dysphagia. However, previous parameters principally focus on cervical alignment and do not include the hyoid bone, which is an essential anatomical structure related to the swallowing mechanism. In this case-series study, we enrolled a total of 14 patients (male: female = 10:4) with a mean age of 66.4 years who underwent OCF or upper cervical posterior fixation. We measured the following parameters on cervical lateral X-ray images: T1 slope, pharyngeal airway space, and O-C2, C1-C2, C2-C7, and pharyngeal tilt angles. In addition to these parameters, we also defined and measured a hard palate-C2-hyoid bone (H2H) angle, which reflects the anatomical relationship among the cervical vertebrae, palate, and hyoid bone. We compared pre- and postoperative changes of all the parameters between those patients with postoperative dysphagia after OCF and upper cervical posterior fixation and those without. Dysphagia occurred in two cases treated with OCF. A chronological change of the H2H angle in a case with postoperative dysphagia was plotted as an outlier on box-and-whisker plots, while any chronological changes of the other parameters in cases with dysphagia were not plotted as outliers. The H2H angle could be related to the occurrence of postoperative dysphagia after OCF and upper cervical posterior fixation. This parameter should be evaluated with further studies.

ABSTRACTConflicting results exist about the relationship between bariatric surgery and fracture risk. Also, prediction of who is at increased risk of fracture after bariatric surgery is not currently available. Hence, we used a combination of a self‐controlled case series (SCCS) study to establish the association between bariatric surgery and fracture, and develop a prediction model for postoperative fracture risk estimation using a cohort study. Patients from UK Primary care records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD linked to Hospital Episode Statistics undergoing bariatric surgery with body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 between 1997 and 2018 were included in the cohort. Those sustaining one or more fractures in the 5 years before or after surgery were included in the SCCS. Fractures were considered in three categories: (i) any except skull and digits (primary outcome); (ii) major (hip, vertebrae, wrist/forearm, and humerus); and (iii) peripheral (forearm and lower leg). Of 5487 participants, 252 (4.6%) experienced 272 fractures (of which 80 were major and 135 peripheral) and were included in the SCCS analyses. Major fracture risk increased after surgery, incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 2.77 (95% CI, 1.34–5.75) and 3.78 (95% CI, 1.42–10.08) at ≤3 years and 3.1 to 5 years postsurgery when compared to 5 years prior to surgery, respectively. Any fracture risk was higher only in the 2.1 to 5 years following surgery (IRR 1.73; 95% CI, 1.08–2.77) when compared to 5 years prior to surgery. No excess risk of peripheral fracture after surgery was identified. A prediction tool for major fracture was developed using 5487 participants included in the cohort study. It was also internally validated (area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve [AUC ROC] 0.70) with use of anxiolytics/sedatives/hypnotics and female as major predictors. Hence, major fractures are nearly threefold more likely after bariatric surgery. A simple prediction tool with five variables identifies high risk patients for major fracture. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Background: The literature is replete with outcomes studies on pediatric forearm fractures; however, information concerning the outcomes of both-bone fractures of the proximal radius and ulna is limited. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the prognosis and outcomes in children with combined fractures of the proximal radius and ulna, with special attention to complications. Methods: A single-center, retrospective study identified patients ages 3 to 15 yr old with proximal forearm fractures treated between January of 1994 and February of 2014. Patients were excluded if they did not have both-bone fractures of the proximal forearm. Records were reviewed with a focus on outcomes and their association with age at the time of injury, severity of injury, type of treatment, and complications. Results: Thirty-one patients met the inclusion criteria. Significant differences were seen between patients younger than 10 yr of age and patients older than 10 yr of age in rates of requiring operative treatment (P=0.048) and returning to the operating room (P=0.037). There was no significant difference in nerve injury (P=0.519) or range-of-motion deficits (P=0.872) based on age. In addition, no difference was seen in range-of-motion deficits based on severity of injury as determined by displacement (complete or none) (P=0.139). Conclusions: Most proximal both-bone forearm fractures in children, including olecranon and radial neck fractures, Monteggia type IV fractures, and nonspecific proximal both-bone forearm fractures, have good-to-excellent results. In our study, older age, defined as 10 yr of age or older at the time of injury, resulted in more frequent need for operative intervention, a higher rate of return to the operating room, and greater risk of nerve injury. The older children were not more likely to have range of motion deficits despite a more involved course, which contradicts previous reports, and older age at the time of injury did not necessarily predict poorer outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

Intramedullary Steinmann pin nailing of the ulna: an option for the damage control orthopedics treatment of forearm fractures in open injuries in polytraumatized patients – A description of the technique and presentation of a case series