Risk factors for re-fracture in children with diaphyseal fracture of the forearm treated with elastic stable intramedullary nailing.

Abstract

A retrospective study aims to investigate predisposing factors leading to re-fracture in patients with nails still in place and to identify potential correlations between nail size-to-medullary canal diameter ratio and re-fracture, working to the hypothesis that a higher ratio correlates with a higher risk of re-fracture. Rates of re-fracture with nail still in place after forearm elastic stable intramedullary nailing are higher in younger pediatric patients. Re-fractures occurred at a mean age of 6.7 years (range 5-8.7). While the role of body frame and bone medullary diameter remains unclear, there are grounds for adjusting treatment strategy for age, weight and bone medullary diameter to achieve effective outcome. History of previous forearm fracture and open treatment may also be further risk factors.