[The etiology of the refracture of the forearm in childhood (author's transl)].

The etiology of the refracture after forearm fractures in childhood has been studied in a follow-up examination of 199 patients with dislocated forearm fractures. The incidence of the refracture was 13%. In all cases the primary fracture was a greenstick fracture of at least one of the two forearm bones. The incompletely broken through greenstick fracture was found to be significantly responsible for the refracture. Duration of immobilisation or residual axis deviation at consolidation showed no relationship. The pathophysiology is briefly discussed. In every greenstick-fracture of the forearm the necessity of completing the fracture by total reposition is emphasized to prevent a refracture.