Bilateral diaphyseal fracture of the radius in a young adult
Keywords:
bilateral radial fracture, locking plates, delayed osteosynthesis, complex traumatologyAbstract
Introduction: Bilateral diaphyseal fractures of the radius are rare in traumatology, with an incidence of less than 0.002 % in specialized centers. Their presentation contrasts with unilateral forearm fractures, which show a well-established epidemiological distribution, predominantly in young men due to high-energy mechanisms.
Objective: To present an exceptional case of a bilateral diaphyseal fracture of the radius in a young adult.
Case report: A 19-year-old male patient, polytraumatized in a motorcycle accident, presented with bilateral diaphyseal fractures of the radius. Conventional radiographs showed non-comminuted fracture lines. Surgery was performed 10 days after the trauma with osteosynthesis, achieving anatomical reduction. At one month, he showed incipient radiographic consolidation and regained pronation and supination.
Conclusions: This case illustrates the usefulness of plain radiographs in non-displaced fractures, the effectiveness of locking plates in delayed interventions based on biomechanical principles, and the need for long-term follow-up. Furthermore, it demonstrates that optimal results can be achieved with meticulous surgical technique regardless of the intervention time. Its exceptional epidemiological prevalence (incidence < 0.17 cases/million/year) underscores the importance of studying complex forearm fractures.
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