Forearm fracture

Pathological fracture of the radius: benign tumour

Non-traumatic spontaneous fracture of the right radius. Casual discovery of the tumour in the middle part of the radius.

The NMR shows a multilobulated tumoural aspect. The tumour is strictly in the medullary canal. The muscles around are free and not infiltrated. There is no oedema. No bone spicula. Both cortices are dense and thick. This tumour is more likely a benign one.

A long stick of natural coral is placed in the medullary canal, after removal of the tumour.
Decortication is done and granules of natural canal are placed around the cortex.
Six months after surgery, the stick is still visible. Cortices are healed.

Osteoporotic close fracture of the lower one/third radius and the lower one/fourth cubitus

Image n° 1: Close fracture of both radius and cubitus.

Note the distal oblique fracture of the cubitus.

Image n° 2: 45 days after surgery.

A cast was applied for forty five days.

Image n° 3: Healing of both forearm bones.

5 months after surgery the cubitus is nicely rebuilt. Some granules are yet seen along the radius shaft.

Severe osteoportic comminuted fracture of the wrist

Image n° 1: pre-operative X-rays

This old patient (84 years old) had a severe osteoporotic disease. She broke her hip, lost many centimetres due to multiple fractures of vertebrae. The skin along the cubitus was cut, so she had to be operated in emergency. Note the multiple fragments of both forearm bones.

Image n° 2: post-operative X-rays

Two types of biomaterial were used to treat the fractures. Both fracture sites were stabilized with a metallic implant.

Image n° 3: X-rays of the healed fractures

Fracture healing after 45 days. The stick of biomaterial is still seen. Note the good mineralization – despite immobilisation – of the forearm and hand.

Conclusion :

In three cases we used a stick of biomaterial in the medullary canal to have - at first sight - a mechanical effect, before the biological effect occurs in a second time. No dystrophic sympathetic reflex occurred in any case.

Upper Limb pathology: Wrist