Aims. To investigate the risk factors for unsuccessful radial head reduction (RHR) in children with chronic
Delayed diagnosis is a well-known complication of a Monteggia
fracture-dislocation. If left untreated, the dislocated radial head
later becomes symptomatic. The purposes of this study were firstly,
to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of open reduction
of the radial head and secondly, to identify the factors that may
affect the outcome of this procedure. This retrospective study evaluated 30 children with a chronic
Monteggia lesion. There were 18 boys and 12 girls with a mean age
of 7.4 years (4 to 13) at the time of open reduction. The mean interval
to surgery, after the initial fracture, was 23.4 months (6 to 120).
Clinical grading used a Kim modified elbow score: radiological outcome
was recorded. The effect of the patient’s age, gender, duration
from initial injury, Bado classification, and annular ligament reconstruction
were analyzed. The mean follow-up was 42.2 months (15 to 20).Aims
Materials and Methods
This retrospective study was designed to evaluate
the outcomes of re-dislocation of the radial head after corrective osteotomy
for chronic dislocation. A total of 12 children with a mean age
of 11 years (5 to 16), with further dislocation of the radial head
after corrective osteotomy of the forearm, were followed for a mean
of five years (2 to 10). Re-operations were performed for radial
head re-dislocation in six children, while the other six did not
undergo re-operation (‘non-re-operation group’). The active range
of movement (ROM) of their elbows was evaluated before and after
the first operation, and at the most recent follow-up. In the re-operation group, there were significant decreases in
extension, pronation, and supination when comparing the ROM following
the corrective osteotomy and following
re-operation (p <
0.05). The children who had not undergone re-operation achieved a better
ROM than those who had undergone re-operation. There was a significant difference in mean pronation (76° Cite this article:
Most surgeons favour removing forearm plates
in children. There is, however, no long-term data regarding the complications
of retaining a plate. We present a prospective case series of 82
paediatric patients who underwent plating of their forearm fracture
over an eight-year period with a minimum follow-up of two years.
The study institution does not routinely remove forearm plates.
A total of 116 plates were used: 79 one-third tubular plates and 37 dynamic
compression plates (DCP). There were 12 complications: six plates
(7.3%) were removed for pain or stiffness and there were six (7.3%)
implant-related fractures. Overall, survival of the plates was 85%
at 10 years. Cox regression analysis identified radial plates (odds
ratio (OR) 4.4, p = 0.03) and DCP fixation (OR 3.2, p = 0.02) to
be independent risk factors of an implant-related fracture. In contrast
ulnar plates were more likely to cause pain or irritation necessitating
removal (OR 5.6, p = 0.04). The complications associated with retaining a plate are different,
but do not occur more frequently than the complications following
removal of a plate in children.
We present the results of 90 consecutive children with displaced fractures of the forearm treated by elastic stable intramedullary nailing with a mean follow-up of 6.6 months (2.0 to 17.6). Eight (9%) had open fractures and 77 (86%) had sustained a fracture of both bones. The operations were performed by orthopaedic trainees in 78 patients (86%). All fractures healed at a mean of 2.9 months (1.1 to 8.7). There was one case of delayed union of an ulnar fracture. An excellent or good functional outcome was achieved in 76 patients (84%). There was no statistical difference detected when the grade of operating surgeon, age of the patient and the diaphyseal level of the fracture were correlated with the outcome. A limited open reduction was required in 40 fractures (44%). Complications included seven cases of problematic wounds, two transient palsies of the superficial radial nerve and one case each of malunion and a post-operative compartment syndrome. At final follow-up, all children were pain-free and without limitation of sport and play activities. Our findings indicate that the functional outcome following paediatric fractures of the forearm treated by elastic stable intramedullary nailing is good, without the need for anatomical restoration of the radial bow.
We reviewed 15 patients, nine girls and six boys, with chronic anterior dislocation of the radial head which was treated by ulnar osteotomy, external fixation and open reconstruction of the elbow joint but without repair of the annular ligament. Their mean age was 9.5 years (5 to 15) and the mean interval between the injury and reconstruction was 22 months (2 months to 7 years). All radial heads remained reduced at a mean follow-up of 20 months (6 months to 5 years). Normal ranges of movement for flexion, extension, pronation and supination were unchanged in 96.1% (49/51) and worse in 3.9% (2/51). Limited ranges of movement were improved in 77.8% (7/9), unchanged in 11% (1/9) and further decreased in 11% (1/9).There were two superficial pin-track infections and two cases of delayed union but with no serious complications. Reconstruction of the radiocapitellar joint is easier using external fixation since accurate correction of the ulna can be determined empirically and active functional exercises started immediately. Only patients with a radial head of normal shape were selected for treatment by this method.
