Forearm Shaft Fractures: Plating of Radius and Ulna Versus Plating of Radius and Nailing of Ulna

Prospective Randomized Trial for Forearm Shaft Fractures: Plating of Radius and Ulna vs. Plating of Radius and Nailing of Ulna

The hypothesis is that intramedullary nailing of the ulna and plating of the radius will result in a superior outcome as evidenced by two primary end points:

1. a lower rate of implant pain
2. a lower re-operation rate to remove painful hardware.

This is a prospective, randomized study to determine if intramedullary nailing of the ulna and plating of the radius is equal to, or superior to plating of both the radius and ulna for the treatment of both bone forearm fractures.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diaphyseal fractures of both radius and ulna
• Ulna fractures that are oblique or transverse
• Fractures may be closed or Grade I-IIIA open
• Patients must be over 18 and skeletally mature

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children under the age of 18
• Pregnancy
• Comminuted ulna fractures
• Those with associated bony elbow or wrist trauma
• Elbow dislocation
• Subjects with bone pathology (osteoporosis, OI, Paget's disease, bone cancer)