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Treatment of isolated diaphyseal fractures of the radius with an intramedullary nail in adults

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European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

The goal of the radius diaphysis fractures in surgical treatment is restoration of bone length, rotation correction and to secure fixation that allows early mobilization. The purpose of this study is evaluating the results of intramedullary (IM) radius nail for the treatment of isolated adult diaphyseal fractures of the radius.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed adults with isolated fractures of the radius, who were treated with closed or mini open reduction with a IM radius nail between May 2008 and November 2011 and who were followed for a least 1 year. Patients with a Galeazzi fracture, a pathological fracture, or patients with nonunion after previous surgeries were excluded. All patients were allowed full range of motion without any external support. Primary outcomes were Grace and Eversmann rating, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores.

Results

Twenty-three enrolled patients (mean age 34 years; 17 men) had 23 isolated radius fractures. Mean time to fracture union was 12 weeks (range 10–13 weeks) for radius fractures. No patient had nonunion, deep infections, or radioulnar synostosis. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 42 months. Grace and Eversmann ratings of 21 patients were excellent or good, and 2 patients were medium. Mean DASH score was 4.2 points (range 0–13.3).

Conclusions

Our experience indicates that this new IM radius nail may be considered as an alternative to plate osteosynthesis for fractures of the radius diaphysis in adults. IM nailing of radius fractures provides reliable bony union and excellent postoperative clinical results in adults.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest regarding this paper. No authors received any outside or industry funding or grants in support of conducting or preparing this research for publication. The radius nail which is used in this work is developed by Prof. Dr. Fuat Akpinar. It is manufactured by TST Rakor Tıbbi Aletler San and Tic.Ltd. Şti., Istanbul/Turkey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Umraniye Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Gursel Saka, Necdet Saglam, Tuhan Kurtulmus, Ugur Bakir & Cem Coskun Avci

  2. Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey

    Fuat Akpinar

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey

    Akgun Alsaran

Authors
  1. Gursel Saka
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  2. Necdet Saglam
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  3. Tuhan Kurtulmus
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  4. Ugur Bakir
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  5. Cem Coskun Avci
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  6. Fuat Akpinar
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  7. Akgun Alsaran
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Correspondence to Gursel Saka.

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Saka, G., Saglam, N., Kurtulmus, T. et al. Treatment of isolated diaphyseal fractures of the radius with an intramedullary nail in adults. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 24, 1085–1093 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-013-1398-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-013-1398-4

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