Operative management of long-bone of the upper limb in children with osteogenesis imperfecta]

The authors present their own experiences in operative treatment of the upper extremities in 24 children with osteogenesis imperfecta (oi) among 141 treated in years 1988-2002, in whom 34 operations were performed. In one subgroup were children presented with bone fractures: olecranon six, humerus shaft five, lateral condyle of the humerus one, humerus supracondylar fracture one. In second subgroup included children with upper limb deformities following procedures were performed: correction of cubitus varus three, humerus osteoclasis two, dislocated radial head resection, forearm correction thirteen. Results after operative management of fractures were very satisfying for all the children--proper fracture healing, axis of the bones was straight and a full mobility of the joints was achieved. In second group: partial deformation recurrence after cubitus varus correction, good result on the one side and lack of correction an the other after humerus osteoclasis; bad result in terms of elbow mobility after radial head resection; good results (despite complicated healing and wires migration) in terms of axis correction after forearm bones osteotomies. Surgery of the upper limbs in osteogenesis imperfecta is very challenging but it is worth to perform, as it improves function.