Traumatic plastic deformation of the radius and ulna. A closed method of correction of deformity.

More than 50 cases of plastic deformation of the forearm in children have been reported in the literature, but no method of reduction other than osteoclasis has been described. Fourteen patients with plastic deformation of one or both bones of the forearm were observed over a period of five years. Of these 14, nine were cared for acutely, and a closed reduction was performed by placing the apex of the plastically deformed bone over a fulcrum and applying significant pressure for several minutes. The average correction was 85% of the angulation present prior to reduction. The clinical findings in these patients treated by closed reduction were compared with those observed in untreated cases seen by the authors and those in the literature. Early reduction of the plastic deformation decreased the clinical deformity, allowed treatment of adjacent fractures, and led to earlier return of full pronation and supination of the forearm.