Ulnar plating for the treatment of unstable fractures of the forearm in children

Abstract

Different methods of internal fixation are used to treat unstable forearm fractures in children. Results of single bone fixation are comparable to those with both bone fixations with a lesser morbidity. Eighteen skeletally immature patients with unstable forearm fractures were treated by ulnar plating. There were 13 boys (72.3%) and five girls. The mean age was 10.7 years at the time of injury. Three children (16.6%) had open fractures. The follow-up ranged from 14 to 46 months (mean 27.7 months). All fractures healed in an average time of 11.4 weeks. Seventeen patients had either excellent or good functional results. Three patients had a loss of < or = 15 degrees of pronation and another patient had a loss of 25 degrees of pronation and < or = 15 degrees of supination. One patient had an early superficial infection resolved with antibiotics. No child complained of any limitation in activities of daily living and all could participate in strenuous activities. We conclude that ulnar plating is a good management policy for unstable forearm fracture in children with a satisfactory functional outcome, less morbidity and fewer complications.