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Implantology of Fractures of the Shaft of Radius and Ulna

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Handbook of Orthopaedic Trauma Implantology

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Abstract

Adult diaphyseal forearm bone fractures are uncommon, yet when they do occur, the option of non-surgical management practically does not exist. This is owing to the fact that even undisplaced ones have a high chance of displacement, leading to poor results. This is attributed to the anatomical peculiarity of the close dynamic relationship between the radius and the ulna. The articulation of these two bones extends from the elbow right down to the wrist. If the precise spatial relationship is lost, the forearm may lose its main function of prono-supination. Disturbance of the proximal or distal radioulnar joint can affect the function of the elbow or the wrist (or both). Therefore, reduction with fixation is the standard treatment for fractures of the radius and/or ulna in adults. Proper choice and application of implants are of prime importance here. Different orthopaedic scientists have applied their wisdom, ingenuity and methodical approach in search for the ideal implants. Some failed, some succeeded. Some successful ones were eventually bettered by newer designs and newer concepts. The implantology of these fractures have evolved to an extent that plating has become almost de facto standard. This chapter intends to discuss this evolution process, current options and the future directions.

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Abbreviations

ALP:

Active locking plate

AO:

Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Association for Osteosynthesis

CoCrMo:

Cobalt chromium molybdenum

DCP:

Dynamic compression plate

DRUJ:

Distal radioulnar joint

FCL:

Far cortical locking

LC-DCP:

Low contact dynamic compression plate

LC-LCP:

Low contact locking compression plate

LCP:

Locking compression plate

PC-fix®:

Point contact fix

PRUJ:

Proximal radioulnar joint

RCT:

Randomised control trial

SFBFB:

Shaft fracture of both forearm bones

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, MGM Medical College and LSK Hospital, Kishanganj, Bihar, India

    Gaur Gautam Kar

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

    Gaur Gautam Kar

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  1. Gaur Gautam Kar
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. NH Narayana Superspeciality and Multispeciality Hospitals, Howrah, West Bengal, India

    Arindam Banerjee

  2. Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Peter Biberthaler

  3. Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India

    Saseendar Shanmugasundaram

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Kolkata, India

    Ravi Ganesh Bharadwaj

  2. Sri Dhaatri Orthopaedic, Maternity & Gynaecology Center, Vijayawada, India

    Srinivas B. S. Kambhampati

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Kar, G.G. (2023). Implantology of Fractures of the Shaft of Radius and Ulna. In: Banerjee, A., Biberthaler, P., Shanmugasundaram, S. (eds) Handbook of Orthopaedic Trauma Implantology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7540-0_72

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7540-0_72

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-19-7539-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-19-7540-0

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