TITLE:
Revolutionizing Pediatric Fracture Care: The Impact of Titanium Elastic Nails on Upper Limb Injuries in Children
AUTHORS:
Hozifa Mohammed Ali Abdelmaged, Ayman Taj Elsir Mustafa Babiker, Abdallah Hashim Abdallah Mohmmed, Mohammed Alssir Mohammed Ahmed, Yousif Omer Elgaili Yousif, Sara Gamareldein A. Khalafalla, Asim Hatim Mohammed Musa, Mohammed Mubarak Mohammed Ahmed
KEYWORDS:
Titanium Elastic Nails (TENS), Pediatric Upper Limb Fractures, Humerus Fractures, Forearm Fractures, Functional Outcomes, Radiological Outcomes, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Early Mobilization
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.16 No.4,
April
16,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Pediatric fractures of the upper limb, particularly in the humerus and forearm, are common. They typically result from falls and road traffic accidents (RTAs) and require effective management to ensure proper healing and functional recovery. Recently, titanium elastic nails (TENS) have emerged as a viable treatment option for upper limb fractures in children, providing potential benefits compared to traditional casting and rigid plate fixation. The objective of this study was to assess the functional, clinical, and radiological outcomes of titanium elastic nails (TENS) in the treatment of humerus and forearm fractures in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted at Atbara Police Hospital between April 2019 and November 2023, involving a total of three hundred and twenty-three pediatric patients with upper limb fractures of the humerus and/or the radius and ulna. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) data analysis software, version 27. Results: This study involved a cohort of 323 pediatric patients who presented with upper limb fractures at Atbara Police Hospital. There were 272 male patients (84.2%) and 51 female patients (15.8%), resulting in a male-to-female ratio of 5.3:1. The majority of the patients were aged 6 to 10 years. All the patients included in this study (323 patients) experienced excellent to good outcomes, with no poor outcomes recorded. There was a strong association between early presentation and higher rates of excellent outcomes. Additionally, forearm fractures are slightly more likely to achieve excellent outcomes than humeral fractures. Conclusion: This study revealed that the use of the titanium elastic nail (TENS) is the standard treatment modality for upper limb fractures in pediatric patients. The TENS has good functional, clinical, and radiological outcomes and is minimally invasive, with little scarring, a short operation time, and a low risk of complications. TENS also supports early mobilization, which is critical for preventing joint stiffness and muscle atrophy, leading to a faster return to normal activities.