Closing intramedullary nailing for the treatment of diaphyseal forearm fractures in adolescence: a preliminary report

The results of treatment of 20 unstable diaphyseal fractures of the forearm in adolescent patients by closed intramedullary nailing are presented. All fractures healed within 4-7 weeks. No cross-union, nonunion, pseudarthrosis, or infection occurred. The advantages of this method are (a) maintenance of accurate reduction, (b) reduction of complication rate, (c) negligible cosmetic defect, and (d) removal of the internal fixation device under local anesthesia.