Radius and ulna locking intramedullary nails are safe and reliable after adolescent forearm fractures: a case-controlled study in adolescents

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare the radiological and functional results of newly designed radius and ulna intramedullary nails (IMNs) with those of titanium elastic nails (TENs) for forearm fractures in adolescents requiring surgery. Patients aged between 10 and 17 years who underwent surgery for forearm fractures between January 2011 and January 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Of the 45 patients who met the study criteria, 18 patients received IMNs and 27 patients received TENs. The clinical results were evaluated according to the Price criteria. The mean age, mean follow-up period, fracture type, postoperative period, length of hospital stay, surgical reduction type, union time, implant diameter and radiological findings were evaluated. No differences were found between the groups in terms of mean age, mean follow-up time, type of fracture, length of hospitalization, reduction quality, complications or union time (P > 0.05). Significant differences were observed in implant diameter, angulation on early radiological examination and the formation of large bone calluses (P < 0.05). According to the Price criteria, among the patients who received IMNs, 16 patients had excellent results, while two patients had good results, and among the patients who received TENs, 20 patients had excellent results, while seven patients had good results. According to our study, radius and ulna locked intramedullary nailing treatments for adolescent forearm fractures are as safe and reliable as TEN treatment.