Characteristics of forearm refracture in adolescents

Ami B. Kapadia, Philip L. Wilson, Corey S. Gill, Charles W. Wyatt, Gerad K. Montgomery, Sharon G. Huang, Henry B. Ellis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate characteristics of reinjury following forearm fractures in adolescents. An Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective cohort study of forearm fractures (ages 10-18 years) treated by a single academic pediatric orthopaedic group from June 2009 to May 2020 was conducted. All both bone forearm (BBFA) and radius or ulna primary and secondary injuries were included. We excluded open, surgically treated, physeal, epiphyseal, and radial head/neck fractures. Demographics, injury characteristics, and radiographic data were recorded. We evaluated associations of ipsilateral same-site refracture (RE-FRACTURE) versus ipsilateral or contralateral different-site forearm fractures occurring as secondary later injuries (OTHER). Thirty-three of 719 patients sustained a secondary forearm fracture (4.6%; mean age, 11.5 years; M:F, 5.6:1). RE-FRACTURES, compared with OTHER forearm locations, were associated with a sports mechanism at time of original injury (P = 0.024) and mid-shaft position of fracture on the radius (77.6 vs. 29.8 mm from distal physis; P < 0.001) and ulna (72.0 vs. 27.2 mm from distal physis; P = 0.003). RE-FRACTURES also demonstrated increased radius to ulna distance between BBFA primary injury sites on anteroposterior (19.6 vs. 10.6 mm; P = 0.009) and lateral radiographs (19.6 vs. 10.5 mm; P = 0.020) compared with OTHER forearm locations. Residual angulation and fracture-line visibility were not significantly associated with secondary fracture. Ipsilateral same-site refractures tend to occur in adolescents within 1 year following treatment for widely spaced (>15 mm) and mid-shaft forearm fractures incurred during athletic activity. Further research may be warranted to evaluate biologic, bone health, or personality traits that may lead to secondary fractures of the pediatric forearm.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)58-64
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Pediatric Orthopaedics Part B
Volume33
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2024

Keywords

  • adolescent athletes
  • forearm refracture
  • radius
  • reinjuries
  • sports
  • ulna

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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