The incidence of neurologic injury in paediatric forearm fractures requiring manipulation

J Pediatr Orthop B. 2010 Jul;19(4):294-7. doi: 10.1097/bpb.0b013e32832c2f55.

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate the incidence of neurologic injury in children referred for manipulation in our hospital. A retrospective chart analysis of the first 100 children to be referred with a fracture of any segment of the radius and/or ulna was performed. The incidence of neurologic injury was found to be 15.6%. Neurological injury occurs most frequently with distal physeal fractures with an incidence of 37%. Clinicians require a high index of suspicion when evaluating forearm fractures. If neurologic injury is missed at initial assessment, the child may not receive a prompt reduction, thus increasing the likelihood of long-term sequelae.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Forearm Injuries / complications
  • Forearm Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Forearm Injuries / therapy
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Manipulation, Orthopedic*
  • Queensland / epidemiology
  • Radius Fractures / complications
  • Radius Fractures / epidemiology*
  • Radius Fractures / therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Trauma, Nervous System / epidemiology*
  • Trauma, Nervous System / etiology
  • Ulna Fractures / complications
  • Ulna Fractures / epidemiology*
  • Ulna Fractures / therapy