Compound Fracture Forearm

Also called a physeal fracture this fracture occurs at or across the growth plate.

Compound fracture forearm. As the severity of the open fracture increases the likelihood of complications and the length of time for healing also increases proportionally. If you have an open fracture you will be given antibiotics intravenously to prevent infection. Fractures of the radius and ulna may occur in isolation usually due to a direct blow but these are usually associated with fracture or displacement of the other bone in that forearm. Wrist fractures are the most common forearm fracture.

The method of treatment used for a forearm fracture depends on the age of the patient the type of fracture sustained and the degree of severity of the fracture. Fracture risk factors include osteoporosis more common in women than in men and malignancy pathological fractures. This is a very severe injury and requires urgent care. There is usually a fracture in the ulna and the top head of the radius is dislocated.

A forearm fracture can occur in one or both of the forearm bones. A compound fracture can be defined as the fracture in the bone that protrudes through the skin resulting in an external wound. In most cases of adult forearm fractures both bones are broken. The treatment of compound fracture or open fracture is a complicated process.

Compartment syndrome is a limb threatening emergency and its consequences are life long in the form of fibrosis of muscles or in the worst senario amputation of the limb. This injury affects both bones of the forearm. Metal plates and screws may be used. A more severe forearm fracture or an open fracture with exposed bone will be repaired surgically.

Your forearm is made up of two bones the radius and ulna. Treatment for forearm fractures is almost always operative but nonoperative management can be used in specific cases usually for an isolated ulna fracture. For example if a tibia fracture is a closed injury it may take an average of 3 months for healing where is an open fracture may take 4 6 weeks longer even if the fracture pattern is similar. A forearm fracture occurs when there is a fracture of one or both of the bones of the forearm.

A typical treatment for a nondisplaced forearm fracture includes wearing a cast for six weeks. Both bones are important for proper motion of the elbow and wrist joints and both bones serve as important attachments to muscles of the upper extremity. Non surgical in general greenstick and torus fractures of the pediatric population can be managed by casting for 4 6 weeks. The two bones of the forearm are the radius and the ulna.

Fractures of the forearm can occur near the wrist at the farthest distal end of the bone in the middle of the forearm or near the elbow at the top proximal end of the bone.