Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2025
Treatment with Locking Intramedullary Nailing for Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur Utilizing a New Awl with a Distal Positioner
Published on: June 6, 2025
Intramedullary Kirschner wire fixation of displaced distal forearm fractures in children
Mohamed I Abulsoud1, Ahmed Saied Mohammed2, Mohammed Elmarghany2
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. mohamedabulsoud@azhar.edu.eg.
Insights
Intramedullary K-wire fixation effectively treats pediatric distal forearm fractures, ensuring good union rates and excellent functional outcomes with minimal complications. This physis-sparing technique reduces re-displacement risk in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Traumatology
- Surgical Techniques
Background:
- Distal forearm fractures are common in children.
- Maintaining physeal integrity is crucial for normal bone growth.
- Traditional fixation methods may carry risks of complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of intramedullary K-wire fixation for displaced distal forearm fractures in children.
- To assess union rates, functional outcomes, and complication rates associated with this technique.
- To determine if physis-sparing intramedullary fixation prevents displacement and reduces complications.
Main Methods:
- Prospective case series of 47 children with displaced distal forearm fractures and open physes.
- Treatment involved bilateral intramedullary K-wire fixation.
- Outcomes assessed included union rate, union time, complications, radiographic evaluation, and functional outcome at 12 months.
Main Results:
- All 47 fractures achieved union within a median of 6 weeks.
- Excellent functional outcomes were observed in 89.4% of patients at 12 months.
- Preoperative angulation significantly improved postoperatively and at final follow-up, correlating with functional outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Intramedullary K-wire fixation is a safe and effective method for treating pediatric distal forearm fractures.
- The technique demonstrates a low complication rate and reduced susceptibility to re-displacement.
- Physis-sparing intramedullary fixation yields favorable radiographic and functional results in pediatric patients.
Aim Of The Work:
This study was designed to highlight internal fixation by intramedullary K-wires for displaced distal forearm fractures among children and analyze the results of this technique. We hypothesize that physis-sparing intramedullary fixation prevents displacement with a lower complication rate.
Methods:
This prospective case series involving 47 patients was conducted between February 2018 and December 2019. All patients with open physis presented with recent displaced distal forearm fractures were included, and all of them were treated with an intramedullary k-wire fixation for both bones with the assessment of the union rate, union time, suspected complication, radiographic evaluation, and functional outcome.
Results:
The study population consisted of 31 boys (66%) and 16 girls (34%). The mean age of the patients was 10.68 ± 2.728 years (range, 7-15 years). All fractures were united in a median of 6 weeks (range, 4-8 weeks), The functional outcome after 12 months was normal in 42 patients (89.4%), whereas, in five patients (10.6%), the functional parameters were minimally reduced. The median preoperative angulation improved from 36° (range, 24°-52°) preoperatively to 4° (range, 0°-10°) on immediate postoperative radiographs. After 12 months, the median angulation was 2° (range, 0°-7°) (p < 0.001). The angulation of the distal radius immediately after surgery and at the final follow-up was statistically correlated with the functional outcome (p < 0.001 and 0.002, respectively).
Conclusion:
This technique provides a good result with less susceptibility to re-displacement and low complication rates.
Level Of Evidence:
Level IV.
More Related Videos
07:35Creating Rigidly Stabilized Fractures for Assessing Intramembranous Ossification, Distraction Osteogenesis, or Healing of Critical Sized Defects
Published on: April 11, 2012
05:34A Mini-Invasive Internal Fixation Technique for Studying Immobilization-Induced Knee Flexion Contracture in Rats
Published on: May 20, 2019
