Intramedullary fixation of forearm fractures.

Plate fixation remains the primary surgical treatment option for most adult forearm fractures. However, intramedullary nailing can be successful and might be preferable in cases of massive soft-tissue injury and burns, certain segmental fractures, pathologic fractures, and skeletally immature adolescent patients. Furthermore, the risk for refracture after plate removal is decreased with fixation by intramedullary nailing. The history, indications, surgical technique, and results of intramedullary fixation of forearm fractures are described in this article.