Among the long bones, radius and ulna (antebrachium) are predisposed for
external trauma as they are the major weight bearing bones and have minimum amount of
soft tissue covering. The highest incidences of fractures had been seen in radius and ulna
(Thilagar and Balasubramanian, 1988) when compared to other long bone fractures.
For fracture immobilization, the easier and simple procedure followed is external
coaptation technique which has its applications limited to simple and stable fractures.
Intramedullary pinning of radius is a method of stabilization of multiple radius or ulnar
fracture, because of its low cost, less time consumption and it is simple. But it provides
less stable fixation and it may result in pin migration and carpal joint ankylosis which
hinders limb movement during healing period. Bone plates used for internal fixation are
effective in countering all the forces and they are usually preferred when post-operative
comfort and early limb usage are desired. Major disadvantage with bone plating is that it
requires extensive exposure of fractured part and resurgery for removal of plates after
healing.