[Treatment of diaphyseal forearm fractures with locking intramedullary nail]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the results after treating diaphyseal fractures of the forearm with an inter-locking intramedullary nail.

Between 2003 and 2005, 45 patients with 68 fractures were treated using the ForeSight intramedullary nail (Smith&Nephew, Memphis, USA). The average patient age was 34.12 years. In the postoperative period, early and late complications were evaluated through radiological and functional methods.

The average length of time to demonstrated bone healing was 13.2 weeks. 3 cases of prolonged healing were observed, and pseudoarthrosis formation did not occur. Assessment of function according to Anderson gave the following results: full range of movement in 86.9% of patients; mild restriction of movement in 10.9%; and severe restriction of movement in 2.2% of patients. Postoperative complications included: I superficial infection, 2 cases of incomplete radioulnar synostosis; and one case of compartment syndrome.

Upon comparing the techniques of using plates with those of nailing in the treatment of forearm fractures, we have achieved comparable results with nailing, and we therefore regard it as advantageous foremost for treating open, serial and grossly comminuted fractures of the forearm bones.