Above- or below-elbow casts for distal third forearm fractures in children? A meta-analysis of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Fractures of the distal third forearm are common fractures in childhood. Most of these fractures can be treated non-operatively by means of closed reduction and immobilization. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to investigate whether above- or below-elbow cast should be considered the first-choice for conservative treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search was performed in multiple databases to identify all the studies comparing above- and below-elbow cast for the treatment of distal third forearm fractures in children. All RCT's or CCT's were assessed for eligibility. Quality was assessed by the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Injuries Group assessment. Data were pooled using RevMan 5.0 RESULTS: Three trials involving a total of 300 participants were included. A total of 142 fractures were treated with a below-elbow cast (BEC) versus 158 with an above-elbow cast (AEC). Loss of reduction was encountered in 17 and 36 cases, respectively [odds ratio 0.44 (0.22-0.87)]. For combined radius and ulna fractures 15 of 97 in the BEC group and 34 out of 122 in the AEC group showed loss of reduction [odds ratio 0.55 (0.26-1.15)]. Children treated with BEC missed less school days [mean difference 1.12 (-1.52 to -0.59)], and encountered less difficulties in daily living [odds ratio 112.41 (6.58-1920.77)]. CONCLUSION: Due to heterogeneity, the trials are not fully compared. Based on the presented meta-analysis, we conclude that BEC is not inferior to AEC so that this is a valid treatment option for distal third forearm fractures.

[A man with a painful hip after a soccer incident]. / Een man met een pijnlijke heup na een voetbalongeval.

A 53-year-old man presented with a shortened exo-rotated left leg and a flexed painful left hip after a soccer accident. X-ray of the hip revealed an anterior hip dislocation, for which the patient was successfully treated by reduction of the hip replacement in the operating room.

Peak incidence of distal radius fractures due to ice skating on natural ice in The Netherlands.

An increase of distal radius fractures was seen in 2009 when an extended cold spell allowed natural ice skating in Amsterdam. This resulted in overload of our Emergency Departments and operating rooms. This study reports patient and fracture characteristics of these injuries. We also determined potential skating-related risk factors. All patients who sustained a distal radius fracture during natural ice skating between January 3 and January 12, 2009 were included. Patient and fracture characteristics, treatment, validated outcome (Quick DASH) at 3 months after injury were determined. Natural ice skating accounted for a 5.5-fold increase of distal radius fractures (92 fractures) compared to a similar time period without natural ice skating in 2008. Fracture types were AO-type A, n = 50, type B, n = 11 and type C, n = 31. Twenty-eight patients were casted without reduction. Fifty-four patients underwent at least one reduction before casting. The non-operative group consisted of 67 patients (68 fractures, male/female 18/49) with an average age of 55.5 years. Twenty-three patients (24 fractures) underwent internal fixation. Quick DASH for the whole group was a mean of 23.1 points (range 0-95). The mean Quick DASH for the non-operatively treated group was 19.9 points (range 0-95), for the operatively treated group 31.7 points (range 2-65). Distal radius fractures increased 5.5-fold during a period with natural ice skating. Women aged 50 and over were predominantly affected. Most fractures were extra-articular, and the vast majority was treated non-operatively. Utilization of wrist-protecting devices should be considered during future natural ice periods.

Conservative treatment of a closed fracture of the clavicle complicated by pneumothorax: a case report.

Isolated clavicle fractures are frequently encountered in the accident and emergency department. Complications of isolated clavicle fractures are rare. Pneumothorax as a complication of a clavicle fracture has only been reported five times in English literature. In all five cases the pneumothorax was treated by a thoracostomy and the clavicle fracture was treated conservatively. In our case, both pneumothorax and clavicle fracture were treated conservatively with good result. Although isolated clavicle fractures rarely present with complications and normally heal with routine immobilisation, we must be aware of the serious complications that may occur, which require urgent treatment. Thorough history, physical examination, with particular attention to the neurovascular and chest examinations and radiographs of the clavicle are necessary to prevent overlooking these potentially serious complications.