LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF FOREARM BONE DIAPHYSEAL PLATING

A retrospective review of 175 patients treated with forearm bone plati ng for acute diaphyseal fractures, nonunions, and malunions was undert aken to identify problems related to plate removal as opposed to plate retention. One hundred thirteen patients retained their forearm plate s, of which five patients experienced complications related to the pla te, including infection, bone failure, plate failure, and loosening. P atients retaining forearm bone plates reported minimal discomfort or f unctional limitation. Sixty-two patients had plate removal at an avera ge of 19 months after insertion. Ten patients suffered major complicat ions, including seven refractures through screw holes, osteotomy, or o riginal fracture sites. Fractures occurred at an average of six months after plate removal. The difference in complication rates between pat ients treated with plate removal and patients retaining plates was sta tistically significant.