Forearm longitudinal discrepancy after forearm fractures' fixation in pediatric: A case series study

Abstract

intROductiOn Forearm fractures in childhood are one of the most common traumatic injuries to the upper extremities. Most of these fractures are treated with closed reduction and cast immobilization.[1] In cases where there is instability or open injury, surgery is often needed to create a proper alignment along the bone. The most common devices to use fixation after open reduction include intramedullary elastic nails (Titanium Elastic Nail [TEN]) and plates. In the distal third fractures, plate fixation is mostly used. Intramedullary nail fixation method is widely used in skeletally immature patients.[1,2] Furthermore, open reduction and osteosynthesis with plate and screw fixation are successful treatments in over 90% of pediatrics.[2] One of the findings of pediatric fractures in the lower extremity bones is growth disturbance. The longitudinal growth disturbance is due to the growth plate arrest, which causes shortening or overgrowth with increasing limb length for unknown reasons.[3] Overgrowth and angular deformity occur after TENs implantation in pediatric femoral shaft fractures and several studies have been performed in this field.[4-6]