FRACTURE OF THE FOREARM IN CHILDREN

1. Where, for any length of time, infants and children refuse to use their forearms, after having sustained an injury, fracture should be suspected.

2. Colles' fracture occurs rarely in infants and children.

3. Fracture may be present, even though the cardinal signs of fracture are lacking. These fractures are usually of the subperiosteal variety. "Pencil" tenderness is the diagnostic sign.

4. Epiphyseal separation of the lower end of the radius should be looked for in all cases with injured forearm. It occurs often enough to be considered.

5. Plaster of Paris bandages are by far more efficient than splints and should be given the preference in the treatment of fractures.

6. Proper immobilization is as important as proper reduction in obtaining a successful issue in the treatment of fractures.

7. Shorter periods of immobilization, early massage and passive movements should be employed in children.

8. A pad between the shafts of the fractured bones, as recommended by many, for the purpose of preventing fusion of the fractures, is unnecessary as it could not separate the bone ends without exerting injurious pressure upon the circulation.

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