Forearm Fracture 1 Bismillah
Forearm Fracture 1 Bismillah
Forearm Fracture 1 Bismillah
Description
Bone injury : - Radius, ulna -sometimes the fractures are associated with elbow and wrist injuries. Soft Injury : compartment syndrome, neurapraxia, and vascular damage.
Forearm Fracture
- Adults also require a more exact reduction - Children <12 years old do not require anatomic reduction of forearm fractures.
Drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents are more likely to have forearm fractures than passengers, especially with front airbag deployment
In children, forearm fractures are a common result of skateboarding, roller skating, and scooter riding Forearm fractures occur most frequently in boys aged 11-14 years and in girls aged 8-11 years
Risk Factors
High-energy trauma Osteoporosis
Etiology
High Energy Trauma motor Low Energy Trauma
vehicle accidents,
fall from a height crushing injury
Falls
Physical Examination
Careful examination of the entire involved extremity is mandatory, including: Detailed neurologic and vascular evaluations Assessment of the soft tissues
Compartments, anterior (flexor) and posterior (extensor), are checked for evidence of compartment syndrome.
Compartment pressure is measured if the forearm feels tight or if the patient displays pain out of proportion to the injury.
Test Imaging
AP, lateral, and oblique views of the wrist and the entire forearm, as well as AP and lateral views of the ipsilateral elbow, are mandatory. Radiographic signs of injury to the distal radioulnar joint include: Fracture at the base of the ulnar styloid Widening of the joint space on the AP view Dislocation of the radius relative to the ulna on the lateral view Radial shortening >5 mm If the radial head is located properly, a line drawn through the radial head and shaft on any radiographic projection should align with the capitellum of the elbow. If dislocation of the radial head is suspected clinically, a lateral radiograph of the elbow with the arm in supination may be helpful.
Pathological Findings
Most forearm fractures are either
Spesial Therapy
Physical therapy
Early ROM of the elbow and fingers is important to help to reduce soft-tissue scarring and to prevent contractures
Medication
Acetaminophen plus a mild narcotic are used most often in the immediate postinjury period for pain control
Surgical
Surgical options include percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation, external fixation, intramedullary nailing, and plate and screw fixation. Acute bone grafting is unnecessary For open fractures, irrigation and debridement with the administration of intravenous antibiotic emergent basis. If the open wound is not massively contaminated, the fractures are stabilized after debridement. With massive contamination, fixation is performed in a delayed fashion. Radial and ulnar fractures usually are stabilized rigidly with 3.5-mm dynamic compression plates. Locking plates seem to have no advantages compared with nonlocking plates Pediatric fractures may be treated with plating or with intramedullary nailing. Results with intramedullary nail fixation seem to be superior
Prognose
In general, most nondisplaced or minimally displaced fractures in children who undergo closed treatment heal well, with good return of forearm function Minimally displaced isolated ulna fracture have excellent results when treated with functional bracing The prognosis in adults with displaced fractures of the radius and ulna and closed treatment is poor. For fractures treated with open reduction and rigid internal fixation, the prognosis for achieving union is ~95%
Because rigid fixation allows early ROM, patients who have no associated severe soft-tissue injuries should experience only mild loss of forearm rotation.
Complication
Non Operative treatment
Decreased ROM Synostosis Malunion Nonunion
Operative treatment
Compartment Syndrom
exquisite pain on passive stretch of the digits. Constrictive dressings should be released down to the skin at the 1st symptom or sign of compartment syndrome. If pain is not improved, compartment pressure should be measured. Confirmation of the diagnosis requires emergent fasciotomy of the forearm.
Patient Monitoring
Follow-up care should be arranged within 1 week after
injury for repeat physical examination and repeat radiographs before and after the application of a cast, to verify fracture position when cast treatment is chosen.
Additional follow-up every 2-3 weeks then is necessary
to assess healing of the fracture site and to guide early ROM of the fingers and elbow.
Healing of closed forearm fractures usually takes 4-6