Article
Bilateral Comminuted Radial Shaft Fractures From a Single Gunshot: Fixation With Alternative Techniques
Am J Orthop. 2009 April;38(4):194-198
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John T. Capo, MD, Frank Liporace, MD, Damon Ng, MD, and Steve Caruso, MD
Dr. Capo is Chief, Division of Hand and Microvascular Surgery, and Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Liporace is Assistant Professor, Division of Orthopaedic Traumatology, Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Ng is Chief Resident, Department of Orthopaedics, and Dr. Caruso is Resident, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey.
Acute bilateral radial shaft fractures are an unusual entity that has not been previously reported in the literature. Given its bilaterality, this rare clinical entity is best treated with stable internal fixation. Here we report the case of an 18-year- old right-hand–dominant man who sustained a low-caliber gunshot injury. He had been driving with both hands on the steering wheel when he was struck by a single bullet. The bullet caused displaced fractures of the left proximal radial shaft and the right distal radial shaft. Each fracture had extension outside the mid- diaphysis. The patient underwent operative fixation with plating of the right upper extremity and intramedullary nailing on the left side. Both fractures healed, and range of motion was functional.