Abstract
Forearm fractures present a unique challenge to the physician who must properly manage the alignment of two bones which function in concert to allow the important upper extremity motions of pronation and supination. While restoration of length, alignment, and rotation is the goal of all long bone fracture treatment, the physician treating forearm fractures should also strive to preserve the curvature of the radius and interosseous spacing. Without attention to these details, pronation and supination and the ability of the patient to position the hand in space may be restricted. Treatment of forearm fractures will be different in children and adults as children heal quickly and those with greater than 2 years growth remaining retain the potential for significant remodeling. Because of the potential for remodeling, most closed children’s both bone forearm fractures can be treated nonoperatively and perfect reduction is not required. In contrast, operative treatment to restore alignment is the standard of care for displaced and unstable adult forearm fractures where resources are available.
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Solfelt, D. (2016). Forearm Injuries. In: Robinson, J. (eds) Orthopaedic Trauma in the Austere Environment. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29122-2_37
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29122-2_37
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