title: Elastic intramedullary nail for treatment of extremity fractures in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the clinical therapeutic effects of elastic intramedullary nail on extremity fractures in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2005 to March 2008, 40 children with extremity fractures were treated by elastic intramedullary nail, in whom femoral shaft fractures occurred in 26 cases, tibiofibular fractures in 8 cases, radial capitular fractures in 4 cases, ulnoradial fractures in 2 cases. All patients were treated by closed reduction and elastic intramedullary nail fixation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the fractures gained satisfactory reduction and healing. The average duration needed for fracture healing was 1-2 months. Postoperative follow-up confirmed a sound functional recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The elastic intramedullary nail is a minimally invasive and effective surgical approach for treatment of extremity fractures in children. It allows early functional exercises after operation and secures a satisfactory bone union and functional recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Integration of Chinese Traditional and Western Medicine of Cangzhou, Cangzhou 061001, Hebei Province, China. hongru70@sohu.com
authors.forename: Hong-Ru
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Shu-Lin
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Wen-Lu
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jin-Chang
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hou-Xuan
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001858:Bone Nails; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005121:Extremities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome