Forearm fracture (peds)

Background

• Comprises 45% of all pediatric fractures
• peak incidence 10-12 years of age in girls and 12-14 in boys

Clinical Features

•Mechanism: usually fall on outstretched hand

• Point tenderness, swelling, and obvious deformity
• Vast majority involve the distal third of the forearm

Management

• Greenstick and complete fracture
  • Sugar tong splint is preferred over simple volar splint

Disposition

• Consult ortho if:
  • Rotational deformity
  • >10 degrees of angulation in children >8 yr
  • >15-20 degrees of angulation in younger children
• Otherwise, ortho f/u in 1 week