Intramedullary Steinmann pin fixation of forearm fractures in children. Long-term results

The current study is a retrospective clinical and radiographic review of all children treated with intramedullary Steinmann pins for fixation of diaphyseal forearm fractures at one institution. Thirty patients were reviewed. Twenty-five patients had fractures of both bones, three had Monteggia fracture-dislocations, and two had isolated radial fractures. Eight fractures were open. The average age of the patients at the time of surgery was 9 years 3 months (range, 4 years 1 month-14 years 3 months). Time to union averaged 6 weeks but a slightly longer healing time was seen in patients older than 10 years of age. Subjective, objective, and radiographic evaluation at 3 years 6 months average followup revealed no significant side to side differences. There were six complications (two pin site infections, two cases of fracture displacement after pin removal, one extensor pollicus longus tendon rupture requiring repair, and one refracture), none of which affected outcome at followup. When combined with an open reduction, one intramedullary Steinmann pin provides adequate stability in most diaphyseal forearm fractures in children with excellent results and few complications.