Longitudinal Overgrowth in Pediatric Forearm After Fracture Fixation with Flexible Intramedullary Nail: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction: Pediatric forearm fracture is one of the most common upper extremity fractures at young age. The treatment is often non-surgical. In patients, who need surgical intervention, intramedullary nails are used. Growth disturbances in long bones of lower extremity occur in pediatrics. Longitudinal overgrowth is very rare in the upper extremity. Case Presentation: This report presented a five-year-old child, who had radius and ulna shaft fracture in the distal one third of his forearm. This child was treated with radius fracture fixation by flexible intramedullary nails. After six months, the child had wrist pain and limitation in range of motion. In the radiography, 4 mm increase in radius was observed. Conclusions: Overgrowth of long bones after application of intramedullary nails was proven in the lower extremity yet it was observed in the upper extremity and the exact mechanism of this phenomenon has not yet been determined and needs further investigation.