title: Delayed union and non-union of the ulna following intramedullary nailing in children.
abstract: Most studies report little or no problem with union following intramedullary nailing of fractured forearm bones in children. The bone involved in the occasional delayed union is not mentioned except for one delayed union of the ulna following an open fracture. The present paper specifically highlights problems with union of the ulna following nailing in children. It reports two cases of delayed union and one non-union following nailing of closed fractures of both forearm bones. In all cases, the radius united in good time. We discuss the anatomical reasons and surgical techniques that predispose the ulna bone to delayed union and non-union and recommend surgical precautions to avoid this.
authors.affiliation: Fracture Outcomes Research Unit, Department of Orthopaedics, Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ogonda
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wong-Chung
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wray
authors.forename: Brigeen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Canavan
mesh_terms: D001858:Bone Nails; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*