title: [Pediatric forearm fractures. Diagnosis, therapy and possible complications].
abstract: Nonoperative management of forearm fractures in children has a good outcome in over 90% of all cases. In our own series (n = 102) there were only six children (6.1%) with significant limitation (> 25 degrees) of forearm rotation. In these cases two out of four (50%) were located in the proximal third but only two out of 68 in the distal third. Indications for operative stabilization are the following: compound fractures, fractures associated with vessel and nerve injuries, joint fractures, dislocated fractures of the middle and proximal third, and Monteggia/Galeazzi injuries. As implants intramedullary devices are preferred. Twenty children were managed with elastic IM rods between 1994 and 1995 at our institution. At final follow-up all had a free ROM and a maximal axial malalignment of less than 5 degrees. In the region of the distal forearm K-wires are useful. Plates play a dominant role for corrections and nonunions; external skeletal stabilization is indicated for temporary fixation in compound fractures.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Universitätsklinik, Bergmannsheil, Bochum.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Muhr
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ostermann
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates; D002648:Child; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*