Forearm fractures are very common in children. They are usually treated ort
hopedically. For the last few years, Metaizeau's elastic stable nailing has
been used in the authors' hospital. This study is based on 80 children wit
h forearm fractures treated with intramedullary nailing: 64 boys and 16 gir
ls, aged 6 to 16 (23 right sides, 58 left sides: 81 fractures). Nailing was
performed 67 times for a displaced fracture, 3 times for a recurrent fract
ure, 3 times after a secondary displacement, and 7 times in patients with m
ultiple injuries. Sound union was normally achieved in 78 patients, and nor
mal motion in 79. Ten children experienced complications, but only complica
tions involving the skin and sepsis were due to the technique. The seven sk
in complications (three in the ulnar fractures and four in the radial fract
ures) consisted of three major local infections, one radial osteomyelitis,
and three minor local nonunion of skin. One patient had limited thumb exten
sion, and two patients fell a second time. One advantage of the method desc
ribed here is that plaster casts are avoided, allowing children to go back
to school early. Sound union is achieved as quickly as with orthopedic trea
tment, and recovery is excellent.