Purpose: To investigate the etiologic factors related to refractures of the upper extremity in children. Patients and Methods: Eighteen refractures were divided into three groups according to the location of the initial fractures. They were analyzed in terms of the type of refractures, fracture patterns, and the existence of an underlying deformity. Results: Of nine supracondylar fractures of the humerus, two involved refractures at the supracondylar region, and the other seven involved the lateral condyle. Underlying cubitus varus was present in six cases. Of three lateral condylar fractures of the humerus, one had a refracture at the supracondylar region, and two cases involved the lateral condyle. One had an underlying cubitus varus. All but one case in the humeral fractures group were late refractures, and were treated with surgery. Of six repeat forearm fractures, five were early type and occurred at the original site within nine weeks, four at the diaphysis of both bones of the forearm, and one at the diaphysis of the ulna. All cases in the forearm fractures group, save one, had volar angulation before the refracture, and were treated conservatively. Conclusion: In the humerus, the underlying cubitus varus was the most important predisposing factor for refractures and lateral condyle fractures were common. In the forearm, volar angulation of the diaphysis was related to refractures, and complete and circular consolidation of the primary fracture of the forearm was thought to be important in prevention.
Ulna Fractures/epidemiology ; Shoulder Fractures/*epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Radius Fractures/epidemiology ; Male ; Humeral Fractures/epidemiology ; Humans ; Follow-Up Studies ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Child

BACKGROUND: There has been lack of epidemiology of proximal humerus fracture using nationwide database in Asia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of proximal humerus fracture and its mortality following proximal humerus fracture in Korean over 50 years of age. METHODS: The Korean National Health Insurance data were evaluated to determine the incidence and mortality of proximal humerus fracture aged 50 years or older from 2008 through 2012. RESULTS: Proximal humerus fracture increased by 40.5% over 5 year of study. The incidence of fracture increased from 104.7/100,000 in 2008 to 124.7/100,000 in 2012 in women and from 45.3/100,000 in 2008 to 52.0/100,000 in 2012 in men, respectively. One year mortality rate after proximal humerus fracture was 8.0% in 2008 and 7.0% in 2012. One year mortality rate were 10.8% for men and 7.0% for women in 2008 and 8.5% for men and 6.4% for women in 2012. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the proximal humerus fracture in elderly was recently increasing and associated with high mortality in Korea. Considering proximal humerus fracture was associated with an increased risk of associated fractures and an increased mortality risk, public health strategy to prevent the proximal humerus fracture in elderly will be mandatory.
Aged ; Asia ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; Humerus* ; Incidence* ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality* ; National Health Programs ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Public Health

BACKGROUND: Fractures as a result of non-accidental injuries (NAI) are not uncommon among children. The purpose of our study was to describe the incidence, demographic characteristics, and associated risk factors in patients with NAI in a multiethnic Asian cohort. METHODS: A retrospective record review of patients admitted to our hospital between September 2007 and 2009 with the diagnosis of NAI was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 978 children were reported with suspicion of NAI. Among them, 570 patients (58.28%) were diagnosed with NAI. Fractures were observed in 35 children (6.14%). NAI fractures were highest among female infants (73.3%). The biological father was the most common known perpetrator of NAI (n = 155, 29.0%). The most common perpetrator sadly remained unknown (n = 14, 40%). All NAI fractures were closed (n = 35, 6.14%), and the most commonly affected bone was the humeral shaft (n = 10, 28.57%) with an oblique configuration. Age < 1 year and parental divorce were significant risk factors associated with these fractures. CONCLUSIONS: The skeletal injury pattern and risk factors highlighted in our study will help treating physicians identify patients susceptible to NAI, as many of these patients are young and vulnerable. Protective measures can be initiated early by recognizing these injuries and preventing further physical and psychological harm to the child.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child Abuse/*statistics & numerical data ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fractures, Bone/*epidemiology ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures/epidemiology ; Infant ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Singapore/epidemiology

PURPOSEFractures of the humeral shaft are common and account for 3%-5% of all orthopedic injuries. This study aims to estimate the incidence of radial nerve palsy and its outcome when the anterior approach is employed and to analyze the predictive factors.

METHODSThe study was performed in the department of orthopaedics unit of a tertiary care trauma referral center. Patients who underwent surgery for acute fractures and nonunions of humerus shaft through an anterior approach from January 2007 to December 2012 were included. We retrospectively analyzed medical records, including radiographs and discharge summaries, demographic data, surgical procedures prior to our index surgery, AO fracture type and level of fracture or nonunion, experience of the operating surgeon, time of the day when surgery was performed, and radial nerve palsy with its recovery condition. The level of humerus shaft fracture or nonunion was divided into upper third, middle third and lower third. Irrespective of prior surgeries done elsewhere, the first surgery done in our institute through an anterior approach was considered as the index surgery and subsequent surgical exposures were considered as secondary procedures.

RESULTSOf 85 patients included, 19 had preoperative radial nerve palsy. Eleven (16%) patients developed radial nerve palsy after our index procedure. Surgeons who have two or less than two years of surgical experience were 9.2 times more likely to induce radial nerve palsy (p=0.002). Patients who had surgery between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. were about 8 times more likely to have palsy (p=0.004). The rest risk factor is AO type A fractures, whose incidence of radial nerve palsy was 1.3 times as compared with type B fractures (p =0.338). For all the 11 patients, one was lost to follow-up and the others recovered within 6 months.

CONCLUSIONContrary to our expectations, secondary procedures and prior multiple surgeries with failed implants and poor soft tissue were not predictive factors of postoperative deficit. From our study, we also conclude that radial nerve recovery can be reasonably expected in all patients with a postoperative palsy following the anterolateral approach.

Adult ; Female ; Fractures, Ununited ; surgery ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; surgery ; Incidence ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Radial Neuropathy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively compare the occurrence of cubitus varus deformity after humeral supracondylar fractures treated with manipulative reduction and plaster fixation in pronated or supinated position in children, and to guide clinical treatment.

METHODSFrom June 2009 to December 2011, the medical data of 64 children with humeral supracondylar fractures treated by manipulative reduction and plaster fixation were reviewed. All the patients were divided into two groups: group A and group B. The 30 patients in group A were treated with manipulative reduction and plaster fixation in pronation, including 18 males and 12 females, with a mean age of (7.5 ± 3.5) years old. The 34 patients in group B were treated with manipulative reduction and plaster fixation in supination, including 23 males and 11 females, with a mean age of (7.0 ± 2.6) years old. The occurrence rates of cubitus varus and decreases of carrying angle were compared between two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSThere were 13 patients in group A and 16 patients in group B having cubitus varus,which had no statistical difference (χ2 = 0.089, P = 0.765). The decrease of carrying angle were (8 ± 4) degrees in group A and (9 ± 5) degrees in group B, which had no statistical difference (t = 0.584, P = 0.564). Within group A, the occurrence rate of cubitus varus and the decrease of carrying angle between the radial deviation and the ulnar deviation had statistically significant difference (χ2 = 6.160, P = 0.013; t = - 2.409, P = 0.035). Within group B, the occurrence rate of cubitus varus and the decrease of carrying angle between the radial deviation and the ulnar deviation had statistically significant difference (χ2 = 5.120, P = 0.024; t = -2.250, P = 0.041). The elbow function Flynn evaluation score had no significant difference between two groups (P = -0.822).

CONCLUSIONThe occurrence rate of cybutys varys and the decrease of carrying angle have no obvious difference in children with humeral supracondylar fractures treated with fixation in pronated or supinated position. However, when treating with pediatrics humerus supracondylar fractures with ulnar deviation, the fixation in pronation is more helpful for reducing the occurrence rate of elbow varus and decrease of carrying angle. When treating with the pediatrics humerus supracondylar fractures with radial deviation, fixation in supination is helpful for reducing the occurrence rate of elbow varus and decrease of carrying angle.

Case-Control Studies ; Casts, Surgical ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Elbow Joint ; injuries ; Female ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; surgery ; Joint Deformities, Acquired ; epidemiology ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Prone Position ; Retrospective Studies ; Supine Position