CURRENT CONCEPTS IN ADULTS UPPER EXTREMITY FRACTURES

21452Ugur_TiftikciCurrent_Consept_in_adults.kapak

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR FOREARM FRACTURES

Kaan Aksoy

Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Ankara, Türkiye

Aksoy K. Emergency Management Strategies for Forearm Fractures. In: Tiftikçi U, Erdoğan E, Ergün C, Güneş Z, editors. Current Concepts in Adults Upper Extremity Fractures. 1st ed. Ankara: Türkiye Klinikleri; 2025. p.227-232.

ABSTRACT

Patients typically present with forearm pain following high-energy injuries. Clinical examination should assess for swelling, deformity, bruising, open wounds, and tenderness, along with a review of range of motion, neurological, and vascular status. Radiological evaluation should include plain X-rays of the forearm, paying special attention to the distal radioulnar joint. Open fractures require urgent intervention due to exposure of soft tissue and skin to the external environment. Imaging methods such as CT and MRI can be helpful, especially for surgical planning and assessing joint injuries. Pain control is the first priority in the emergency department. A long arm splint may be used for immobilization, with surgical intervention recommended in specific cases. Open fractures should be evaluated promptly and managed according to the Gustilo-Anderson classification. Antibiotic therapy should be tailored to the wound condition, and tetanus status must be checked. Compartment syndrome is a critical condition characterized by increased tissue pressure, risking circulation and function. Diagnosis is clinical, requiring urgent treatment; fasciotomy should be performed as soon as possible to prevent limb loss. Surgical intervention is carried out under general anesthesia, with volar or dorsal incisions possible.

Keywords: Forearm; Emergency; Compartment syndrome; Open fracture

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