Discussion
diaphyseal both-bone forearm fractures, fracture, angulation, coronal radial angulation, loss of flexion and extension of the elbow
SECONDARY
Our primary aim was to investigate whether forearm rotation improves or worsens over time. We showed that rotation improved in both groups over time, with no significant difference in the final forearm rotation: 8° (SD 22) for the AEC group and 8° (SD 15) for the BEC group with a mean difference of 0 (CI –13 to 12). Early conversion to BEC in children with a non-reduced forearm fracture of both bones is also safe at long-term follow-up of 7.5 years with both groups showing equal improvement in function with minimal persisting loss of rotation at long-term follow-up.Our secondary aim was to analyze loss of flexion and extension of the elbow and wrist, patient-reported outcomes measures, grip strength ratio, and radiographic assessment. In accordance with the short-term follow-up, long-term follow-up of 7.5 years again showed no clinically relevant differences in either clinical or radiographic aspect between treating non-reduced minimally displaced diaphyseal both-bone forearm fractures in children with conventional AEC or with an early conversion to BEC. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups for PROMs or radiographic angulations. However, it did show a significant decrease over time for radial angulation in sagittal views for both groups, which is probably due to the excellent capacity to remodel over time.The remarkable increase in coronal radial angulation and maximal bowing after 7.5 years in both groups can be explained by the natural increase in angulation of the radius in children [