Abstract: Background and objectives: The forearm represents a critical anatomic unit of the upper limb, permitting the effector organ of the upper limb, the hand, to perform multi axial daily activities of living. Historically, the closed management of forearm fractures has been met with poor functional outcome in adults, hence perfect fracture reduction and rigid fixation is mandatory and achieved by plating. Conservative treatment has resulted in malunion, nonunion, synostosis and ultimately poor functional outcome
[1]. Hence the present study was undertaken to provide satisfactory functional outcome and to know the advantage and complications of the newer plate design, the LC-DCP.
Materials and methods: The present study was conducted in Department of Orthopaedics at Sri Siddhartha medical college, hospital and Research Center Tumkur during the period from August 2014 and July 2016. A total of 32 patients attending the hospital during the study period with closed diaphyseal fracture of both bones forearm aged more than 18 years who were medically fit for surgery were included in the study.
Results: In this study, Males were predominant with left forearm affection more than right. Most of the fractures were due to road traffic accidents and fall. The average age was 33.5 years with fracture being most common in second and third decade. Most of fractures both bones forearm were located in the middle third and the fracture pattern, transverse/short oblique was commonest. 32(100%) Radius and 32(100%) ulna united within 6 months. The results were based on Anderson et al, scoring system and in our study there were 26 (81%) patients with excellent results, 6 (19%) patients with satisfactory results.
Conclusion: Our study shows that LC-DCP plating of both bones forearm produces excellent results when applied properly. To obtain excellent results: proper preoperative planning, minimal soft tissue dissection, adherence to AO principles, strict asepsis, proper postoperative rehabilitation and patient education are mandatory
