Introduction

Forearm fractures are the most common type of fractures in the pediatric population, but, to date, no comprehensive overviews of their epidemiology are available.

Naranje et al. using the 2010 NEISS report, estimated in children aged 0 to 19 years, 5,333,733 emergency room (ER) visits, of which 788,925 (14.7%) were fracture related. Forearm fractures account for 17.8% of all fractures in pediatric age [1].

Joeris et al. [2] found forearm fractures to be significantly more frequent in school age children (65%) and adolescents (63%) compared to infants (42%) and preschool children (50%). Both forearm bones were fractured in 50.1% of cases of forearm injuries and there were significantly more males than females (63.6% vs. 36.4%) [3].

Understanding pediatric forearm anatomy offers important guidelines for treatment in the nonoperative and operative settings. Anatomically, the ulna is relatively straight and static, it plays a more important role in maintaining forearm stability, especially when subjected to buckling and torsional stress [4]. Radius and ulna are attached by the proximal annular ligament, by the interosseous membrane along the diaphysis, and distally by the ligaments of the distal radioulnar joint and triangular fibrocartilage complex [5]. The radial bow, an apex lateral bend in the radius, increases the range of pronation [6]. The interosseous membrane is higher strain proximally in neutral and pronation, and is higher strain distally when in supination [7]. The distal radial and ulnar growth plates are responsible for 75% and 81% of the longitudinal growth of each bone, respectively. This polarization of growth shows why distal fractures demonstrate a higher remodeling potential than do fractures closer to the elbow. Additional remodeling can also be attributed to elevation of the thick osteogenic periosteum after fracture [8]. Pediatric forearm fractures typically follow indirect trauma, such as a fall on an outstretched hand coupled with a rotational component [9]. Single bone forearm fractures are far less common and are typically the result of direct trauma. However, single bone forearm fractures of the ulna or radius should always raise suspicion for a Monteggia or Galeazzi fracture dislocation, respectively [10, 11]. Understanding the deforming forces is essential to the reduction in both-bone forearm fractures (Fig. 1). The bicep attaches proximally at the bicipital tuberosity on the anterior medial radius. The supinator and bicep flex and supinate the proximal fragment, when there is a proximal fracture. Fractures that happened in the middle third are altered by the pronator quadratus more distally, which pronates the distal fragment, meantime the impact of bicep on the more proximal fragment is negated by the pronator teres, causing the fragment to remain in neutral position. The brachioradialis dorsiflexes and deviates radially the distal fragment during a distal third fractures [12].

Fig. 1
figure 1

Anatomy of the forearm with the insertion point of the main muscles

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Diagnosis and classification

Examination of an acute child injured it is not an easy task. Abuse should be considered in children younger than 3-years-old. Distal pulses and capillary refill are assessed. The elbow and wrist are examined to check for a Monteggia or Galeazzi injury. Standard anteroposterior (AP) and lateral orthogonal forearm radiographs are typically sufficient to diagnose a forearm fracture [10]. Although angulation is easier to measure, rotation can be more difficult. New studies evaluate the possibility to use the ultrasound as an accurate method for diagnosis, some advantages could be rapidity, radiation-free and less painful for the patients [13].

On an AP view of an uninjured forearm, the radial styloid will be 180° from the bicipital tuberosity with the tuberosity pointed ulnar. On the lateral view, the ulnar styloid should point posterior, and the coronoid process should point anterior, whereas the radial styloid and the bicipital tuberosity will not be visible [8]. Children bone is softer and more pliable than adults. These properties result in different type of fractures: the buckle (Torus) fracture is characterized by a compression with no disruption of the cortex, the Greenstick fractures characterized by an intact cortical and the other cortex is disrupted on the tension side, the complete fracture is characterized by the involvement of both cortical. A bowing of the radius should be observed for the plasticity of children’s long bones. The Salter and Harris classification is used if the fractures involve the growth plate [14].

Reduction goals

A correct reduction of a fracture can only be performed by knowing the physiological range of motion of the affected limb. Forearm has a physiological supination of 80° to 120° and physiological pronation of 50° to 80° [15]. Morrey et al. [16] suggest that in the adults only 50° of both pronation and supination is required to task without serious impairment.

In 2019, Valone et al. demonstrate that adolescents utilize more elbow flexion and forearm pronation, with comparatively less supination than children. Awareness of a greater need for specifically flexion and pronation to achieve contemporary tasks such as cell phone and computer use may help guide surgeons in the care of children and adolescents with forearm deformities [17]. Normal function is often achieved with closed reduction and casting. Although reduction does not need to be anatomic because of a child’s ability to remodel, it does need to fall within certain parameters. Most authors [18,19,20] agree upon the recommendations from Noonan and Price. The acceptable reduction guidelines for pediatric both bone forearm fractures are stratified by age and location and they are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1 Acceptable reduction guidelines for pediatric both bone forearm fractures of noonan and price
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Conservative treatment

Greenstick fractures

Fractures with apex-volar angulation are a result of axial load in supination; therefore, the palm should be rotated volarly (pronation). Fractures with apex-dorsal angulation are a result of pronation force; therefore, the palm should be rotated dorsally (supination).

In case of a greenstick fracture of one bone and a complete fracture of the other one, the same principles of reduction by rotation should be used [21].

After reduction, the forearm should be immobilized in the same position that reduced the fracture. Even if these types of fractures rarely require intervention after initial closed reduction, it is prudent to avoid high-risk activities [22].

Less requirements are needed for buckle fractures that are shown to be more stable than greenstick fractures [23]. For this reason, buckle fractures should be treated with a well-molded below-elbow cast or with the use of a removable wrist immobilizer for 3 weeks, which provides increased early functionality [24].

Some authors suggested that also for minimally angulated greenstick fractures in children <9 years of age splinting is an acceptable alternative [25].

Complete fractures

Complete both-bone forearm fractures are reduced with a combination of traction and manipulation (Fig. 2). The fingers are plastered to precule skin disease with the elbow at 90° of flexion, and contrary traction is produced [26]. End-to-end apposition is then conducted with direct handling. If alignment is acceptable, the cast is applied and shaped while the arm is still in traction. The hand is positioned in a neutral or modestly supinated posture. All fractures are placed in either fiberglass or plaster long-arm casts with the elbow at 90°. Casts are shaped with anterior and posterior compression claimed over the interosseous membrane. This tends to increase stability in the cast. Medial and lateral plaster above the humeral condyles will preclude the cast from moving distally [8, 27]. Kamat et al. demonstrated that a cast index, identified as the ratio of sagittal to coronal diameter of the cast, should be below 0.7 to 0.8. A cast index above this range has been connected with serious risk of lost reduction [20]. A debate is still on set about the distal third of forearm fractures. Webb et al. [28] reported that there were no outcomes differences between short-arm casts and long-arm casts after 8 months of follow-up. After adequate reduction and immobilization, patients typically return for a clinical and radiographic follow-up for the first 3 weeks after injury [18]. It appears that a major chance of failure happens early during nonoperative treatment [19]. Eismann et al. [29] demonstrate that during an average time of 15 days, it is also safe a rereduction after redisplacement following initial closed reduction. Cast immobilization should be maintained for 6–8 weeks, until the clinician finds a complete healing of the fracture. Older children may require 8 to 10 weeks of immobilization. In most cases, patients can resume activities 4–6 weeks after cast removal [5, 30]. Jones et al. examined 300 forearm fractures treated with closed reduction for children from 0 to 8 years of age with angulation over 10 degrees. Only 22 patients require remanipulation. All of these cases resulted on a successful healing of the fractures and did not require any internal fixation [21]. Barvelink et al. [31] show good radiographic and functional outcomes in children with forearm fractures nonreduced and treated with only a mean 28 days of cast, at one year of follow-up. Voto et al. [32] demonstrated that 7% of pediatric forearm fractures treated by cast immobilization had reangulation or displacement. Complications of cast immobilization could be loss of bone mass, muscle atrophy, functional limitations and joint stiffness, that are more severe for adolescent [33, 34]. In conclusion, the analysis of available data in the literature shows that conservative management is a very common, safe and successful treatment option in pediatric forearm fractures (Fig. 3). Stiffness in the elbow and/or wrist is frequent after coming out of the cast. This usually gets better on its own after a few weeks, but in rare cases, physical therapy is needed to help regain motion. Because the bones are still fragile after getting out of the cast, it may recommend that the patient avoids sports and physical education for 4–6 weeks afterwards to prevent the bone from re-breaking. No difference in rehabilitation protocols are proposed in the literature depending on the type of surgical treatment performed [46, 47].

Fig. 2
figure 2

The correct procedure to make a forearm cast is illustrated. Cast is molded with anterior and posterior pressure applied over the intraosseous membrane. Medial and lateral molding above the humeral condyles will prevent distal sliding of the cast

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Fig. 3
figure 3

These illustrations show the different stages of conservative management of pediatric both-bone forearm fractures: AP and lateral radiographic projections of the fracture at the time of diagnosis (up), AP and lateral projections after forearm plaster cast (middle), AP and lateral projections after cast removal (down)

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Operative fixation

Recent articles reported a more surgical management for pediatric and adolescent forearm fractures. Flynn et al. [35] reported a sevenfold increase in surgical management of these fractures. In 2009, Helenius et al. [36] published a review of fractures in pediatric and adolescent age treated at hospitals in Finland between 1997 and 2006. The authors observed an increase of 62% in surgical treatment of forearm fractures occurred during this time compared with previous years. In 2017, Cruz et al. [37] reviewed pediatric forearm fractures treated in the USA between 2000 and 2012. The proportion of fractures treated with surgery improved from 59.3% in 2000 to 70.0% in 2012. Surgery choice was correlated with increasing age, with the lowest rate of surgery occurring in children with 0–4 years old (15.4%) and the highest rate in adolescent with 15–20 years old (79.2%). This trend may be the result of new technology, family and surgeon intolerance of remaining deformity.

Surgical indication

When an acceptable reduction can not be obtained with closed reduction and casting, operative intervention is recommended. So the greater indications for surgery are unstable and irreducible fractures and furthermore, refracture at a site of previous fracture, open fractures, fractures with neurovascular compromise, pathologic fractures and forearm fractures with associated humerus fracture (“floating elbow”) [38].

Bowman et al. [19] find that those at highest risk are patients 10 years or older, those with proximal-third radius fractures, and ulna fracture angles <15 degrees. These patients should be considered for surgery. Inadequate initial reduction and bayonet apposition with shortening, if the interosseous space is severely compromised, may also be important factors in surgical decision making. It appears that the greatest chance of failure occurs early in nonoperative treatment. So, when this type of fractures occurs at a young age, there is agreement on the type of treatment to be used, and this is the conservative approach according to the indications of Noonan and Price [8]. Instead, for older children there is not a common agreement on the type of treatment to be used, especially in these patients with less than 1 or 2 years of growth remaining, because it worried that the desired degree of remodeling was not achieved before complete skeletal maturity. Surgical intervention is recommended when angulation is >10° in the proximal shaft and midshaft and when 15° in the distal shaft persists after attempts at closed reduction in girls aged >8 years and boys aged >10 years with 2 or more years of remaining growth. Although difficult to quantify, surgery can be considered in the setting of malrotation >30°. Bayonet apposition of any magnitude is not tolerated in older patients [12].

Intramedullary nails

Intramedullary fixation has become more usual for pediatric forearm fractures needing surgical management [39]. Reasons include small engravings to introduce the fixation device, shorter period of anesthesia and length of hospital stay, safe conservation of the alignment, availability to open and closed fractures and easy removal following placement [12, 40].

There are many studies concluding that flexible intramedullary nailing for the treatment of forearm fractures in children and adolescents is a suitable option [41].

Elastic titanium nails have become the standard of intramedullary (IM) fixation for their biocompatibility, modulus of elasticity, osseointegration rate, corrosion resistance and MRI conformity.

Intramedullary nailing of the forearm is typically acted antegrade for the radius and retrograde for the ulna. Usually, ulna is performed first, as it is accomplished more easily, due to its straight medullary canal [5, 38].

The diameter of available IM implants ranges from 1.5 to 4 mm. The choice depends on the medullary canal. It is usually used a nail that is 40% of the medullary diameter.

The use of single versus double nailing technique (Fig. 4) is still a controversial topic. Flynn and Waters [42] were the first to describe the use of single bone intramedullary fixation (Fig. 5) of both bone forearm fractures.

Fig. 4
figure 4

AP and lateral radiographic projection of both-bone forearm fractures treated with double elastic intramedullary nails technique

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Fig. 5
figure 5

AP and lateral radiographic projection of both-bone forearm fractures treated with single elastic intramedullary nail technique

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Du et al. [43] scanned 24 children treated with single bone fixation and 25 with double bones fixation and they did not find differences in functional results or complications between the two groups.

Crighton et al. suggest caution in the use of single bone fixation of both bone fracture due to the propensity to increased angulation and progressive deformity of fractures. They state in certain patients, this might be an acceptable treatment option but it is advisable that the fixed bone is anatomically reduced, with particular attention paid to the radial bow. If fixation is required, double bone fixation is generally a construct associated with better outcomes [44].

Yong et al. [45] state that there is not a significant difference in loss of rotation, union time or complications between single bone and both bone fixation.

Herman et al. [5] suggest to use this technique for managing both bone forearm fractures, in which one bone is a greenstick fracture or a easy reducible complete fracture, while the other bone cannot be reduced by casting.

Given the mixed results it would seem that the single-bone fixation is a good option only in younger patients with more distal fractures and higher remodeling capacity.

Duration of postoperative immobilization is variable in the literature ranging from no immobilization and immediate movement to six weeks of long-arm casting [46, 47].

Nails are routinely removed at 6 months, in order bony consolidation to be achieved. Earlier removal is associated with higher refracture rate [48].

The overall complication rate for intramedullary nails ranges from 17 to 42% [10]. They include infection in the site of implant, skin irritation, tendon injury (for example Extensor Pollicis Longus rupture has been reported as a result of friction with sharp nail ends) [38, 49, 50], nerve injury [51], implant migration, bursitis, hypertrophic scars, synostosis, refracture after removal [52], nonunion [38, 53], delayed union [54] and compartment syndrome. This one is associated with longer operative times, longer tourniquet times, open fractures, surgery on the day of injury, younger age [55, 56].

Plating

Plating is another valid option for forearm fracture treatment (Fig. 6). Open reduction and use of plate fixation make stabilization and anatomic reduction of forearm fractures, as well as more complete correction of malrotation and restoration radial bow so as to allow early range of motion [57]. However, this approach has been debated as it leads soft-tissue dissection periosteal stripping, needed for exposure and fixation. Plate fixation is indicated in comminuted fractures, fractures on the apex of the radial bow, fractures involving the metaphysis or articular surface, or with late loss of reduction after conservative treatment, in particular in patients who are skeletally mature or with little to no remodeling potential [10, 12, 18, 58].

Fig. 6
figure 6

AP and lateral radiographic projections of post-operative treatment of a bi-osseous forearm fractures with two plates

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The right plate choice depends on the patient’s size: a third tubular plate or 2.4-mm compression plate is the most appropriate choice in most children. The length of the plate has to be at least 7 holes to guarantee stability of osteosynthesis, and at least three bicortical screws will be used on both sides of the fracture line [59]. The complication rate for plate fixation range from 16.5 to 33%. Complications include nonunion, malunion, nerve damage, more commonly secondary to ulnar fixation, scar problems, wound infection, hardware failure, refracture [60,61,62].

The plate removal is debated topic in literature. Vopat et al. [63] showed that leaving the plates in pediatric forearm fractures does not increase the refracture rate compared with the plate removal. Indications for metallic material removal include pain, infection or soft tissue irritation [64].

Hybrid fixation

Hybrid fixation consists of an elastic stable intramedullary nail for fixing the radius combined with conventional plating for the ulna. It has the goal of helping to preserve radial bow, reduce nonunion rate as well as providing forearm rotational control with ulnar plate fixation while reducing the need for soft tissue dissection for radius plating and refracture rate associated with implant removal.

Zheng et al. [57] stated that hybrid fixation has many advantages over plate screw and intramedullary fixation, including the restoration of the original function of the ulna in the forearm stability. Plate fixation provides better stability than does intramedullary nails fixation, only one important incision, a decreased soft-tissue dissection, placing of a stress-shielding implants on only one fracture and the use of fewer eventually annoying costructions. They concluded that this technique is a sure and efficient therapy for forearm fractures in patients aged 10–16 years. Elhalawany et al. [65] conclude that hybrid fixation technique (plating of ulna and elastic nail for radius) in adolescent forearm fracture seem to be a satisfying option in managing these injuries and seem to reduce the problem of ulnar nonunion encountered when using elastic stable intramedullary nail in that age group. Complications include wound infection, nerve injury, reoperations, non-union. However, studies showed that hybrid fixation has some advantages in terms of the delayed union of the ulna, and the average time of bone union [57].

What type of fixation should you choose?

A review of the literature shows similar outcomes of plating and IM nailing in the both forearm fractures in the children. Patel et al. [40] demonstrate no statistical difference in the in functional outcomes and complication rate between plating and IM nailing. Baldwin et al. [62] found similar functional outcomes and complication rate between IM nailing and plate and screw fixation. Freese et al. [60] found 55% of major complications in the IM nails group and no major complications in the plate group. Moreover, they found that the patient treated with IM nailing needed of more time to heal and achieve radiographic union. So they suggest better outcomes and lower complication rate with plate fixation in the adolescent. Westacott et al. [66] suggest that IM nailing may be the elective treatment for simple fracture patterns in order to shorter operative time, better cosmesis and ease of removal. Plating may still have a role in more complex injuries. Based on the available literature we create an operative flowchart in order to help the surgeons for the best treatment decisions (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7
figure 7

Flowchart treatment proposal, based on the available data in literature

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Conclusion

There is not a unique consensus about fracture management and treatment. Current literature agrees about conservative treatment as a gold standard between defined parameters. Exceeded these parameters; the surgical treatment is indicated, with special regard to patients age, fracture pattern and the surgeon experience. Further studies are necessary to create univocal guidelines about optimal treatment, considering new techniques and available technologies.