Evaluation of Clinical Outcomes of Management of Paediatric Bone Forearm Fractures using Titanium Elastic Nailing System: A Prospective Study of 50 Cases

Abstract

Introduction: Forearm fractures are common injuries in children. In older children, there management is difficult due to increased chances of re-displacement after closed reduction. Aim: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of managing paediatric forearm fractures using Titanium Elastic Nailing System (TENS). Materials and Methods: A total of 50 patients in the age group 6 to 14 years with fractures in both bones of forearm were managed by internal fixation using TENS and prospective follow-up were done for six months. Results: On final evaluation in terms of symptoms and range of motion of adjacent joints using Price CT et al., criteria for results, we had excellent outcomes in 92% patients and good in 8%. There were no significant complications except for superficial pin tract infections at entry site of nail in only 6% of patients. Conclusion: We conclude that TENS is an effective and minimally invasive method of fixation of forearm fractures with excellent results in terms of bony union and functional outcomes with minimal complications and without jeopardizing the integrity of the physis.

Keywords

• functional outcome
• intramedullary fixation
• re-displacement