Functional outcome of locking compression plating in diaphyseal fractures of radius and ulna

Abstract

Background & Objectives: Forearm fractures are regarded as articular fractures as slight deviations in spatial orientation of the radius & ulna will significantly decrease the forearm’s rotational range thus disturbing positioning & functioning of the hand. Conservatively done reduction of these fractures results in a poor functional outcome. Hence perfect reduction is essential in maintaining the rotation which is achieved by open reduction & internal fixation with plate & screws. The present study is undertaken to learn the techniques assess the advantages, functional outcome and complication of the new method of internal fixation of diaphyseal fractures of radius & ulna.Materials & Methods: A prospective study involving 20 cases was carried out from September 2015 to September 2017 at Bapuji Hospital and Chigateri General Hospital attached to JJM Medical College, Davangere. These cases involving fracture both bone forearm was treated with open reduction & internal fixation using Locking Compression Plating. Functional outcome was assessed using Anderson et al. criteria scoring system (1975).Results: In this study, majority of the patients were males, middle aged, with road traffic accidents being the commonest mode of injury, involving middle third of both bones of forearm. Majority of our cases had fracture union within 14 weeks with no cases of failure or non-union and most of the patients returned to their routine activities within 16 weeks of surgery. There was no major complication in our study. Excellent or full range of mobility of elbow and wrist joints was present in 15 patients (75%) and 5 (25%) patients had good range of movements.Conclusion: The open reduction and internal fixation with LCP of forearm fractures produce excellent results, the advantage being early mobilization, early union but the complication, duration of surgery and surgical techniques remains unchanged.