[Application of elastic intramedullary nail in the treatment of both ulna and radius fractures in children].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacies of internal fixation by elastic intramedullary nail versus conventional plate osteosynthesis in the treatment of both radius and ulna fractures in children.

METHODS

A total of 84 cases were randomly divided into control and experimental groups at our department from July 2007 to 2013. The control group underwent conventional plating while the experimental group received elastic intramedullary nail. Preoperative preparations and postoperative rehabilitation protocols were similar. The operative outcomes were evaluated from pain score at Day 3 post-operation, radiology and forearm curative function, local wound healing after 2, 4, 8 weeks, 3, 6 months and 1 year.

RESULTS

Local wound healing time, radiology and forearm curative function had statistical significance between two groups (P < 0.05). And the pain score had significant difference (P < 0.01) .

CONCLUSION

Elastic intramedullary nail has multiple advantages of mini-invasiveness, quicker healing and excellent function recovery in the treatment of both ulna and radius fractures in children.