We meet much difficult problem to solve in the treatment of the forearm fractures which are not encountered in the treatment of fractures of the other long bone and there are many reports on the results of treatment of forearm fractures and many methods have been introduced. In the late 1950's ASIF compression plate was invented and developed by Muller, Allgower, and Willenegger and it has shown excellent union rate and functional results in the treatment of forearm fractures. From Jan. 1971 to Dec. 1979, we have experienced 71 cases of fresh or old forearm fractures treated by different methods and devices and among them, 53 patients, those were treated with compression plate and other various internal fixation devices, were possible to trace for more than 3 months. The Author divided the traceable patients into two groups, the one was the group treated with compression plate and the othtr one was the group treated with other various internal fixations, and compared the results in the aspect of healing time and functional results. The results were as follows; 1. Among 71 patients, 45 patients (36.6%) were fresh and 26 were old cases. Of 61 adult patients 21 cases (34.4%) exhibited severe soft tissue injury due to crushing machinary injury. 2. There was 24 (33.8%) cases of open fractures and the most common fracture site was middle one-third of both radius and ulna. 3. The period between operation and exercise was 7.3 weeks in fresh cases which were treated with compression-plate fixation and 10.3 weeks in old cases with other fixation devices. 4. The time of radlological union was comparatively rapid in compression-plate fixation group, acute cases and radial fractures when compared it with those treated with other fixation devices, old cases and ulnar fractures, respectively. Radiological union time in average was as follows; Radius, compression-plate fixation: 12.1 weeks ulna, compression-plate fixation: 12.4 weeks redius, other fixation devices 14.9 weeks ulna, other fixation devices 15.5 weeks 5. By Anderson's functional criteria, the ratio of excellent or good results was as follows, Acute compression-plate fixation: 87% Acute, other fixation devices 67% Old, Compression-plate flxation: 67% Old, Other fixation devices 23% 6. Achieved bony union in all cases in compression-plate fixation group and experienced 3 cases of non-union in the group treated with other fixation devices. Among 3, two cases of non-union were due to post-operative infection and technical failure and the other one was a solitary ulnar fracture which was treated with rush pin.
Adult ; Forearm ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Radius ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Ulna

In 1984, Gustilo subgrouped type III open fracture into III a, III b and III c according to the severity, soft tissue damage and vascular injury. Type III c open fracture presents serious problems especially possible amputation due to vascular insufficiency, so emergency vascular surgery with bone fixation by using plate, IM nail fixator is mandatory. We reviewed 10 cases of type III c open fracture of the forearm and evaluated the bone healing process according to fixation method, intramedullary nailing and plating treated at Orthopaedic Department of Sung-Ae General Hospital from Feb. 1986 to Aug. 1988. The folliwing results were obtained: l. All cases were industrial accidents, 9 cases in right, and the mean age was 24.1 ranging from 17 to 34. 2. There were 4 cases of the radial & ulnar artery rupture and 6 cases of the radial artery rupture, 7 cases were treated end to end anastomosis and 3 cases with vein graft. 3. The fracture level of ulna & radius was same in all cases, 7 cases in distal one-third, 2 cases in middle one-third and 1 case in proximal one-third. 4. The average time of union was 14.1 weeks in the radius and 14.5 weeks in the ulna. 5. The fixation methods were plating in 7 cases and IM nailing in 3 cases. 6. The complications were non-union in 1 case, osteomyelitis in 2 cases and refracture in 1 case. 7. The functional result was excellent in 1 case, satisfactory in 3 cases, unsatisfactory in 5 cases, and failure in 1 case according to the rating system of Anderson.
Accidents, Occupational ; Amputation ; Emergencies ; Forearm ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Fractures, Open ; Hospitals, General ; Methods ; Osteomyelitis ; Radial Artery ; Radius ; Rupture ; Transplants ; Ulna ; Ulnar Artery ; Vascular System Injuries ; Veins

Proximal ulna fractures account for 20% of all proximal forearm fractures. Many treatment options are available for such fractures, such as cast immobilisation, plate and screw fixation, tension band wiring and intramedullary screw fixation, depending on the fracture pattern. Due to the subcutaneous nature of the proximal forearm, it is vulnerable to open injuries over the dorsal aspect of the proximal ulna. This may in turn prove challenging, as it is critical to obtain adequate soft tissue coverage to reduce the risk of implant exposure and bony infections. We herein describe a patient with a Gustillo III-B open fracture of the proximal ulna, treated with minimally invasive intramedullary screw fixation using a 6.0-mm cannulated headless titanium compression screw (FusiFIX, Péronnas, France).
Adult ; Bone Screws ; Forearm Injuries ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; methods ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Open ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Radius Fractures ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Titanium ; Ulna Fractures ; surgery

One of the points made against nailing in radius and ulna shaft fractures has been the loss of radial bow and its impact on function. The aims of the study were to assess the change in magnitude and location of the radial bow in radius and ulna shaft fractures treated with intramedullary square nails and to assess the impact of this change on functional outcome, patient reported disability and the range of motion of the forearm. We measured the magnitude of radial bow and its location in the operated extremity and compared it to the uninjured side in 32 adult patients treated with intramedullary square nailing for radius and ulna shaft fractures at our institute. The mean loss of magnitude of maximum radial bow was 2.18 mm which was statistically significant by both student-T test and Mann-Whitney U test with p value less than 0.01. The location of maximum radial bow shifted distally but was statistically insignificant. The magnitude of maximum radial bow had a negative correlation with DASH score that was statistically insignificant (R=- 0.22, p=0.21). It had a positive, statistically significant correlation to the extent of supination in the operated extremity (R = 0.66, p = 0.0004). A loss of up to 2mm of radial bow did not influence the functional outcome as assessed by criteria reported by Anderson et al. The magnitude of radial bow influenced the supination of the forearm but not the final disability as measured by DASH score. Intramedullary nailing did decrease the magnitude of radial bow but a reduction of up to 2mm did not influence the functional outcome.
Ulna Fractures ; Radius Fractures

There are many methods in reconstruction for skin defect in hand and forearm. Among them, reverse ulnar artery forearm flap has several advantages which are versatile, safe and convenient flap. We report 6 cases of our experiences.
Forearm Injuries ; Forearm ; Hand ; Skin ; Ulnar Artery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic value of MRI in radial head fracture with forearm interosseous membrane injuries.

METHODSFrom December 2011 to December 2012,26 patients with fractures of capitulum radial in our hospital were collected. There were 15 males and 11 females, ranging in age from 21 to 53 years old,with an average of 37.6 years old. All the patients visited hospital within 72 hours after injuries. X-ray radiography of full ulnar radial length in injured side, CT in injured side (three-dimensional reconstruction if necessary) and MRI (including the elbow and wrist joints) were performed within a week after the injury. The MRI manifestations of the forearm interosseous membrane (with or without damage, the injured location and the injury degree ) and the fractures degree of radial head were observed and compared for the relativity.

RESULTSRadial head fracture from Mason type I to III was associated with the forearm interosseous membrane injury. Radial head fracture degree was positive correlated with forearm interosseous membrane injury degree (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRadial head fracture with suspicious forearm interosseous membrane injury is necessary to take MRI for checking for any interosseous membrane injury and injury degree, then choose the right treatment for radial capitulum fracture, only in this way can be helpful for the functional recovery of elbow and forearm.

Adult ; Female ; Forearm ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Membranes ; injuries ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Young Adult

From January 1979 to December 1983, eighty-five patients who had forearm bone fracture were treated by four different methods at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chosun University Hospital. The results were as follows: 1. Among 85 patients, 12 patients were radius fractures, 19 patients were ulna fractures, 54 patients were both forearm bone fractures. 2. Closed fractures were 70 patients and the open fractures were 15 patients. 3. The mst common fracture site was middle third of the both radius and ulna. 4. The treatments were closed reduction with cast immobilization, intramedullary nailing or plate and screw fixation. 5. The time required for radiological bone union were shorter in compression plate fixation gmup, than those treated with other fixation device. 6. Functional result was claasified according to the rating system of Smith and Sage. The open reduction and internal fixation group had better results than the conservatively treated group.
Forearm ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Fractures, Bone ; Fractures, Closed ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Orthopedics ; Radius ; Radius Fractures ; Ulna ; Ulna Fractures

There are few reported cases of flexor pollicis longus tendon (FPL) rupture complicating a closed distal radius fracture. We report a case of FPL tendon rupture complicating a closed distal radius fracture. A 24-year-old male presented with a severe right wrist pain. He had a closed distal radius fracture that was treated by closed manual reduction. Three days later, he complained forearm pain and limitation of thumb motion. The physical examination revealed loss of active interphalangeal joint flexion of thumb. He was taken to the operating room. Intraoperatively, the FPL was found to be discontinuous at the level of the radius fracture site. The FPL was repaired by a modified Kessler technique, and the fracture was repaired with a volar plate. Clinicians must be cautious in possibility of tendon injury complicating a closed distal radius fracture and assessing patients with distal radius fracture following closed reduction.
Forearm ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Operating Rooms ; Physical Examination ; Radius ; Radius Fractures ; Rupture ; Tendon Injuries ; Tendons ; Thumb ; Palmar Plate ; Wrist ; Young Adult

We have experienced multiple fractures of forearm both bones, which revealed the following fractures: comminuted fracture of olecranon, short oblique fracture of proximal ulnar shaft, transverse fracture of ulna mid-shaft, comminuted fracture of radial head, comminuted fracture of distal radius.
Forearm* ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Head ; Olecranon Process ; Radius ; Ulna

Since introduction of venous flap in 1980, many experimental studies and clinical applications of various kinds of venous flaps were reported. Venous flap has the following advantages : (1) nonbulky and goo-quality of flap (2) long & large vascular pedicle (3) easy & rapid elevation of flap (4) no sacrifice of major arteries (5) a single operative field. But, we also have some disadvantages of difficult handling of the pliable veins and the tmcertainty of flap survival. For the better result we had to design the size of the flap larger than that of defect and increase the number of draining vein to reduce the postoperative edema of the flap. We have treated the defects of soft tissue of the hand using free arterialized venous flap from the flexor aspect of the forearm & had an excellent results.
Arteries ; Edema ; Forearm ; Hand* ; Veins ; Wounds and Injuries*