Low-velocity gunshot fractures of the radius and ulna: case report and review of the literature.
This report describes a case of right radial-ulnar fracture with bone loss, and left olecranon fracture with radial nerve palsy resulting from a small caliber, low-velocity gunshot. Initial wound debridement and extraskeletal fixation were done to fix the radial-ulnar fracture. Wound debridement, bullet removal, and tension band wiring were performed on the left forearm. Definitive operations with rigid plate fixation and full segmental iliac bone grafting of the right radial-ulnar fracture were done 2 months later. Left radial nerve palsy resolved 9 months after the index injury. The fractures were fully united and both forearm functions were in normal range 3 years postoperatively. Implications of this case and a review of the literature are presented.
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery