IMMEDIATE (<1 hour) | URGENT (<24 hours) | Priority (24 to 72 hours) |
Arterial compromise (eg, severed artery) | Ulnar shaft fracture with <50% apposition or >10 degrees angulation | Isolated radial shaft fracture with any displacement |
Open fracture | Forearm fracture with any DRUJ or PRUJ instability | Both-bones fracture, even with minimal or no displacement |
Symptoms or signs of acute compartment syndrome | Both-bones fracture with displacement | Isolated proximal third ulna fracture |
Forearm fracture with suspected peripheral nerve injury but no arterial compromise |
DRUJ: distal radioulnar joint; PRUJ: proximal radioulnar joint.
* The large majority of forearm fractures should be managed by orthopedic surgeons, in part because many are unstable and require surgical fixation. The injuries described here require more rapid orthopedic consultation.Do you want to add Medilib to your home screen?