Treatment Outcomes of Adolescent AO 22A Diaphyseal Radius and Ulna Fractures Treated with Dynamic Compression Plate and Intramedullary Elastic Nail
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59058/s3qmq062Keywords:
KEY WORDS: Intramedullary Elastic Nailing, Dynamic Compression Plate, forearm fractures, functional outcomes, bone healing, complications \Abstract
Background & Objective: Diaphyseal fractures of the forearm are a prevalent orthopedic injury that necessitate
surgical intervention to reestablish functional range of motion, alignment, and stability. Complications, including
malunion, nonunion, and long-term functional impairment, may result from these fractures if not properly managed.
Main Objective was to compare treatment outcome of Adolescent AO 22ADiaphyseal Radius and Ulna Fractures Treated
with Dynamic Compression Plate and Intramedullary Elastic Nail.
Methodology: It was a prospective comparative study that included 70 patients, all of whom had diaphyseal fractures
of the radius and/or ulna that necessitated surgical treatment. The patients were aged between 12 and 18 years.
Group A consisted of 35 patients who were treated with DCP fixation, while Group B consisted of 35 patients who were
treated with IMEN fixation. The patients were randomly assigned to these two categories. Clinical evaluations were
conducted at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 to 16 weeks following surgery to evaluate pain levels, functional improvement,
range of motion, and any complications.
Results: At 6 weeks, Group B (IMEN) showed better outcomes with lower Quick DASH (15.49 ± 2.94 vs. 20.45 ± 2.99) and
higher MEPS (81.6 ± 4.8 vs. 75.3 ± 5.2), with faster union (10.8 ± 1.9 vs. 12.5 ± 2.3 weeks, p<0.05). By 12–16 weeks,
functional recovery remained superior (MEPS 91.2 ± 3.9 vs. 85.7 ± 4.3; Quick DASH 8.5 ± 1.4 vs. 12.6 ± 1.9, p<0.05).
Complications were fewer in Group B (infection 2.9% vs. 8.6%, malunion 0% vs. 5.7%).
Conclusion: This study shows that Intramedullary Elastic Nailing (IMEN) provides superior outcomes over Dynamic
Compression Plate (DCP) fixation in diaphyseal forearm fractures, with faster healing, improved function, less pain,
and fewer complications. Both methods remain effective, but IMEN may be preferred in adolescents, while larger
studies with longer follow-up are needed for confirmation.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- Non-Commercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes .
- No-Derivatives — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
