A Clinical Study of Diaphyseal Fractures of the Radius and Ulna in Children

Whang, Kuhn Sung; Moon, Kyoung Ho; Kim, Kwang Hoe; Kim, Sung Joon

Abstract

Forearm bone fracture is a common injury in childhood. But there are many difficult problem to solve in treatment of the forearm bone fractures which are not encountered in the treatment of fracture of the other long bone. Forearm bone fracture in children differ from those in adult in a number of ways. The rapidity of healing, fuctional recovery together with the frequency of delayed or nonunion consitute the main features. More interesting, a deformity resulting from malunion may correct as bone growth proceeds. From August, 1973 to July, 1983, we have reviewed 66 cases of forearm bone fractures under 14 year old and which were treated in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hanyang University Hospital. The results were as follows:1. 56 cases(84.8%) were male and most cases occured in school age. 2. 40 cases(60.7%) were both forearm bone fractures and most common site of the fracture was the distal 1/3. 3. The most common cause of the fractures was falling from height. Simple fracture was most common and greenstick fracture was next. Closed fractures were 61 cases (92.4%) and open fractures were 5 cases (7.6%) . 4. In roentgenologically, the younger the child was, the more rapid the duration of bone union was. Average duration of roentgenological union in conservative group was 8. 1 weeks, and that in operative group was 10. 1 weeks. So conservative group was more rapid in roentgenological bone union than operative group. 5. Accarding to the follow study of remodelling, the young the child and the nearer the fracture line was to the epiphyseal plate, the greater the potentialities for spontaneous correction were. 6. 62 cases (94.0%) showed excellent fuctionat result. According to 4 cases (6.0%) which showed good fuctional result, posterior angulation 17 degree, anterior angulation 15 degree and medial angulation 17 degree after reduction became more than 10 degree after remodelling.