What Is a Diaphyseal Fracture?

Radial shaft fractures account for only 12% of total forearm fractures, mostly in young adults. The patient suffered swelling and pain in the forearm after injury, but there was no significant deformity. There was obvious tenderness at the injury, and forearm movement was significantly restricted.

Basic Information

English name: fracture of shaft of radius
Visiting department: orthopedics
Multiple groups: Mostly young adults

Common locations: forearm
Common causes: Direct and indirect violence can cause radial shaft fractures
Common symptoms: The patient developed swelling and pain in the forearm after injury, without significant deformity, and could sense abnormal movements and bone fricatives, etc.

Causes of radial shaft fractures

Direct and indirect violence can cause radial shaft fractures.

Pathogenesis of radial shaft fractures

Direct violence, such as blows and crushes; conduction stress, such as falling down to support the ground, can cause radial shaft fractures. Fractures are mostly horizontal, short oblique or wedge-shaped. Due to the ulna support, there is no obvious shortening displacement, but due to the muscle pull, often the rotational deformity of the fracture end. Attached to the distal radius is anterior circumflex muscle, an intermediate pronalis circular muscle is attached, and an proximal supinator muscle is attached. After the fracture, due to the stretching of the above muscles, different rotational deformities will occur in different parts of the fracture. If the fracture is distal to the pronator circular muscle stop, the proximal fold end is basically in a neutral position affected by the pronator round and supinator muscles, while the distal fold end is affected by the anterior pronation muscle and is in the pronator position. The fracture occurred when the pronator round muscle was near the apex, the proximal fold was affected by the supinator, and it was in the supination position, while the distal fold was affected by the pron and the anterior rotator.

Clinical manifestations of radial shaft fractures

The patient suffered swelling and pain in the forearm after injury, but there was no significant deformity. There was obvious tenderness at the injury, and forearm movement was significantly restricted. For displaced fractures, abnormal activity and bone fricatives can be sensed, but it is not necessary to check specifically to avoid increasing pain and aggravating injuries.

Radial shaft fracture examination

X-ray examination, including the elbow, wrist forearm upright, lateral X-ray film.

Diagnosis of radial shaft fracture

Generally, there are no difficulties, but attention should be paid to determining whether the upper and lower ulnar and radial joints are involved at the same time, including dislocation, etc., which is closely related to the choice of diagnosis and treatment methods.

Trauma history

They are more clear.

2. Clinical manifestations

Mainly based on forearm radial pain, tenderness, palpitations, and restricted rotation.

3. Imaging examination

The main manifestations are plain radiographs, which can generally be diagnosed, but attention should be paid to whether the ulnar and radial joint injuries are combined.

Radial shaft fracture treatment

Non-shifting person

Most of the young people, depending on the fracture site, put the forearm in the supine elbow flexion (the middle and upper 1/3 fractures) or the middle position (the middle and lower 1/3 fractures). Use the upper limb plaster support or plaster cast. Fix and pay attention to the shape of the forearm limbs.

2. People who have shifted

Manipulative reduction was performed first, and the fracture was displaced proximal to the proximal end according to the direction of displacement of the proximal end of the fracture. Adult patients who have failed closed reduction or have difficulty in maintaining fixation after reduction. For patients with unstable fractures such as oblique, spiral, and comminuted, open reduction and internal fixation are feasible.