INTRODUCTION: Refractures of the radius and ulna in the paediatric patient with flexible intramedullary nails in situ are known to occur. There are no formal guidelines currently in the literature to guide the management of such fractures. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 10-year-old Caucasian girl, sustained a closed refracture of the radius at the same level, with the flexible intramedullary nails in situ to treat her recent ulna and radius fractures. DISCUSSION: We proposed a new non-invasive way of reducing and maintaining such fractures without removal of the bent nail completely. CONCLUSION: This method does not significantly reduce the mechanical strength of the nail, as we do not advocate applying an external lateral force, which would compromise nail mechanical strength and eventually lead to breakage of the nail in situ.
INTRODUCTION: Refractures of the radius and ulna in the paediatric patient with flexible intramedullary nails in situ are known to occur. There are no formal guidelines currently in the literature to guide the management of such fractures. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 10-year-old Caucasian girl, sustained a closed refracture of the radius at the same level, with the flexible intramedullary nails in situ to treat her recent ulna and radius fractures. DISCUSSION: We proposed a new non-invasive way of reducing and maintaining such fractures without removal of the bent nail completely. CONCLUSION: This method does not significantly reduce the mechanical strength of the nail, as we do not advocate applying an external lateral force, which would compromise nail mechanical strength and eventually lead to breakage of the nail in situ.
Authors: Brian A Kelly; Benjamin J Shore; Donald S Bae; Daniel J Hedequist; Michael P Glotzbecker Journal: J Child Orthop Date: 2016-06-08 Impact factor: 1.548