[Functional bracing of fractures]. 1988

H Hackstock
Unfallabteilung, Allgemeines Krankenhaus St. Pölten.

Fracture bracing is a nonoperative treatment of fractures using braces. This treatment is thought to have originated in the medical school of ancient China, and has been reintroduced by Dehne, Sarmiento and Latta [4, 16]. The principle is that in the closed system of the brace the dislocating forces are transformed into compression forces activated by the muscles. Fracture bracing is very successful in fractures of the humerus, the ulna and the tibia. Some degree of shortening of the fragments must be accepted, especially in the humerus. Among 84 humerus fractures, bone healing took place within 6-8 weeks in 82 and there were 2 cases of nonunion. Functional and cosmetic results were excellent. In a series of 48 ulna fractures there were 47 in which bone healing took place within 6 weeks, and only 1 case of nonunion. Complete function was restored in all cases. In tibial fractures it is essential that bracing is applied only when strictly indicated; it depends on the type and localization of the fracture. Good results have been achieved only in stable fractures with early full weight-bearing. All nonstable fractures must be fixed with a long leg cast for the first 4-6 weeks, after which further treatment may be continued with a brace for the next 4-6 weeks. Bone healing takes about 12-14 weeks in all, with the same length of time in the brace as in the long leg cast. The main advantage of fracture bracing is the early movement of joint and muscles it allows, so that no rehabilitation treatment is necessary after removal of the brace. Fractures of the femur and forearm are not reported, because the authors have not yet treated any by this method.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D001915 Braces Orthopedic appliances used to support, align, or hold parts of the body in correct position. (Dorland, 28th ed) Brace
D002370 Casts, Surgical Dressings made of fiberglass, plastic, or bandage impregnated with plaster of paris used for immobilization of various parts of the body in cases of fractures, dislocations, and infected wounds. In comparison with plaster casts, casts made of fiberglass or plastic are lightweight, radiolucent, able to withstand moisture, and less rigid. Fiberglass Casts,Plaster Casts,Plastic Casts,Cast, Surgical,Surgical Cast,Surgical Casts,Cast, Fiberglass,Cast, Plaster,Cast, Plastic,Casts, Fiberglass,Casts, Plaster,Casts, Plastic,Fiberglass Cast,Plaster Cast,Plastic Cast
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006810 Humeral Fractures Fractures of the HUMERUS. Humeri Fractures,Humerus Fractures,Fracture, Humeral,Fracture, Humeri,Fracture, Humerus,Humeral Fracture,Humeri Fracture,Humerus Fracture
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000369 Aged, 80 and over Persons 80 years of age and older. Oldest Old
D013978 Tibial Fractures Fractures of the TIBIA. Segond Fracture,Tillaux Fracture,Toddler's Fracture,Fracture, Segond,Fracture, Tibial,Fracture, Tillaux,Fracture, Toddler's,Fractures, Tibial,Tibial Fracture,Toddler Fracture,Toddlers Fracture

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