Multiple Fractures of Forearm & Humerus by Belt Injuries

Kim, Ik Dong; Lee, Soo Young; Kim, Poong Taek; Park, Byung Chul; Park, Chang Yung

Abstract

In the workshops where the rorating belts are used belt, injuries frequently occur for lack of a safety device. Those injuries have several characteristics compared with other long bone fractures. Those are mostly multiple open fractures with considerable soft tissue damages, forearm both bones and humerus fractures by bending force and rotational distraction as mechanism of the injury, and sometimes particularly segmental fracture of the radius. From Aug. 1972 to Jan. 1985, we have traced 47patients of multiple fractures of forearm and humerus by belt injuries except 17 patients of solitary fractures of forearm and humerus. 1. This injury is more prevalent in males(M:F=4:1) with the peak incidence between the third and fourth deades(59%). 2. Multiple fractures of forearm and humerus by belt injuries were classified by fracture numbers and mechanism of injury as follows: Type I Fractures of Forearm Both Bones(53.2%). Type II Fractures of Forearm Both Bones and Humerus(27.7%). Type IU Segmental Fracture of Radius and Ulna(10.6%). Type IV Segmental Fracture of Radius, Ulna and Humerus(8.5%). 3. Most were open fractures with soft tissue damages(74%). 4. Nerve paralysis was the most frequent associated injury(27%). 5. All but 7 cases were treated by open reduction. Implants used for internal fixation were compression plates in 20 cases as elective surgery and Rush pins in 15 cases of forearm open fractures as emergency surgery. 6. By Anderson's critcria, satisfactory result(excellent or good) was obtained in 55% of cases.