The Internal Diameter of the Radius and Ulna in Korean Children / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Flexible intramedullary nailing is a advanced method for treating forearm fractures with fewer complications. But sometimes these nails should not be used due to the narrower internal diameter of the forearm bones. We studied the inner diameter of the radius and ulna of children along with their age in relation to the width of the nail. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the forearm AP radiographs of all the patients who visited our institute during a specific period, in which their age was between 6 and 19. We measured the inner diameters of the radius and ulna at their narrowest location, and we analyzed the diameter in relation to the patients' age groups, and we compared this data with the width for the nail. RESULTS: A total of 208 patients was included in this study. The inner diameter grew with their increasing age, and the younger the patients, the higher was the rate of inappropriate use of the nail. On linear regression analysis, the age plus or minus 1 SD for usage of the ready-made nail was 12.6 years-old for the male radius. CONCLUSION: The nail was sometimes too thick for the diameter of the forearm bones of Korean children. It is correct for the surgeon to select whatever material to fix the fracture, but appropriate thickness of the nail should be selected thoughtfully in preoperative planning.