Pediatric Proximal Radial Shaft Fractures Treated Nonoperatively Fail to Maintain Acceptable Reduction up to 70% of the Time.

Abstract

To compare early radiographic malalignment rates of conservatively treated proximal radial shaft fractures to more distal fractures. Retrospective cohort study. A pediatric, Level 1 trauma center. We identified a group of 401 pediatric patients who were treated for a complete radial shaft fracture at our institution. Of this group, 309 patients met our inclusion criteria for attempted nonoperative management and were evaluated in our study. Closed reduction and casting. The primary outcome of the study was the failure rate of nonoperative management as defined by residual angulation of the radius assessed on follow-up radiographs. Proximal third fractures were significantly more likely to fail conservative treatment (P < 0.0001) as they exceeded angulation criteria 70% (32/46) of the time compared with more distal fractures (33%; 87/263). In terms of halves (P = 0.0003), the proximal half fractures failed 50% (55/111) of the time while 29% (57/198) of distal half fractures failed conservative treatment. Failure of closed reduction and casting was 4.6 times higher (95% confidence interval, 2.3-9.1) in proximal third fractures and 2.4 times greater (95% confidence interval, 1.5-3.9) in proximal half fractures compared with their more distal counterparts. Given the impressive rate of failure of closed reduction and casting of proximal third radial shaft fractures, the treating orthopaedic surgeon should prudently consider all management options. Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.