Remodelling After Distal Forearm Fractures in Children II: The Final Orientation of the Distal and Proximal Epiphyseal Plates of the Radius

• Published in: Acta orthopaedica Vol. 50; no. 6; pp. 731 - 739
• Main Author: Friberg, K. S. I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa UK Ltd 1979
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Epiphyses - diagnostic imaging; Follow-Up Studies; Forearm Injuries - diagnostic imaging; Forearm Injuries - surgery; Fractures, Bone - diagnostic imaging; Fractures, Bone - surgery; Humans; Radiography; Radius - anatomy & histology; Radius - surgery; Wound Healing
• ISSN: 1745-3674; 0001-6470; 1745-3682
• DOI: 10.3109/17453677908991303

In 39 children the steric orientation of both the distal and the proximal epiphyseal plates of the radius was evaluated 4 months to 10 years after distal forearm fractures that had healed with residual angulation. A residual fracture angulation was found to induce a change in orientation of both the distal and proximal epiphyseal plates. The final result of the reorientation was a normalization of the inclination of the plates in relation to the long axis of the bone. The proximal epiphyseal plate attained practically a normal orientation. The distal epiphyseal plate tended towards overcorrection. In two of the four cases with a primary angulation exceeding 20 degrees considerable normalization occurred, but a "normal" state was not reached. This indicates an upper limit for angulations permitting normalization of the orientation of the distal epiphyseal plate of the radius.