A retrospective comparative study of intramedually nailing versus plating in the management of diaphyseal both-bone forearm fractures among adults

Abstract

Introduction: Aim was to compare the time taken for clinical and radiological union between intramedually nailing versus plating in the management of diaphyseal both-bone forearm fractures among adults.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective study compared two different procedures used as a part of routine care in treatment of both bones fractures of forearm. The functional outcomes were radiological union and range of motion. The fractures were stratified according to AO/SIF classification. The patients were assessed using the Grace-Eversmann criteria.

Results: A total of 65 participants were included in the study with 36 participants in plating and 29 in IMN group. The mean age in plating group was 43.2 ± 4.8 years and 44.78 ± 5.34 years in IMN group. There was no significant difference in the basic demographic characteristics between the groups. The mean time taken for radiological union in plating group andIMN group was 11.23 ± 2.16 weeks and 13.87 ± 3.32 weeks. There was a statistically significant differencebetween the groups with regard to mean operating time, radiological union and mean supination (P Value<0.05). In plating group, 27 (75%) participants had excellent, 6 (16.66%) participants had good and 3 (8.33%) participants had acceptable functional outcome. In IMN group, 23 (82.75%) participants had excellent, 4 (13.79%) participants had good, 1 (3.44%) participant had acceptable functional outcome and 1 (3.44%) participant had unacceptable functional outcome.

Conclusion: Radiological union was lesser and the range of motion was more for plating group. However, both modalities of treatment provided equally satisfactory results.