Refracture after the removal of plates from the forearm. An avoidable complication.

The incidence of refracture following the removal of screws and plates from the diaphyses of 115 forearm bones in 80 patients has been studied. Refracture occurred in four adult patients as a result of minimal trauma, in two patients at the original fracture site after premature plate removal, at the site of a countersunk interfragmentary screw in one and at the original fracture site in another who had required three operative procedures to achieve 'union'. It is suggested that refracture could have been avoided in at least two of these patients. If the 3.5 mm plating system has been used, the incidence of refracture should be minimal.