Clinical Evaluation on Diaphyseal Fractures of the Both Forearm Bones in Adults

Choi, Ki Hong; Kang, Chung Nam; Wang, Jin Man; Roh, Kwon Jae; Lee, Young Soo

Abstract

Fractures of both forearm bones present specific therapeutic preoblems encountered infrequently in the fractures of other shafts of long bones. Although some of these fractures can be treated conservatively, majority of fractures are treated by open reduction and internal fixation for accurate anatomic reduction and rigid fixation. From January 1979 to December 1986, seventy two cases of both forearm bone fractures had been treated by four different methods at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University and results were obtained as follows : 1. The most common fractures site was middle third of radius and ulna. 2. Comminuted fx was most common in radius and oblique fracture was most frequent. 3. Eleven cases were treated conservatively and 61 cases were treated by open reduction. Among them, 2 cases were fixed with intramedullary nailing, 36 cases by plating and 23 cases by combined method. 4. The time required for bony union was shorter in group of open reduction and plating than in groups of the other treatment. 5. The functional result was satisfactory in 53 cases(74%) and was best in group of open reduction and plating. 6. Among 5 cases of nonunion, 3 cases were developed in open fractures.