TissueDB/Simulators/Pediatric Mid-Forearm Closed Reduction Simulator
The Pediatric Mid-Forearm Closed Reduction Simulator is a low-cost pediatric model, compatible with an eight-year-old child, using Sawbones parts to practise closed reduction of mid-forearm fractures. It is for teaching medical students and orthopaedic residents the closed reduction of these fractures in the preclinical setting.[1] The arm and its bones are made by Pacific Research Lab – Sawbones. A silicone and polyurethane envelope mimics skin and soft tissue over radiolucent bones (humerus, ulna and radius) with articular movements. Latex strips glued to the margins of the bones mimic the tension of the thick periosteum and soft parts, so the fracture resists reduction.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Features and Basic Operation | The user can set greenstick or complete fractures, with or without deviation or rotation. Bone landmarks and the fracture unevenness can be felt through the skin. An anterior medial opening allows visualisation and manipulation before training. The finished model is 35 cm long and weighs 900 g.[1] |
| Current Development Status | Evaluated for face validity; rung 2 incomplete (transfer validity and reduction quality not established). |
| Estimated Build Time and Cost | US$125 |
| Specialized Tools and Equipment | Not stated in source |
| Version | Version 1 |
| Development Team Contact Information | Jamil Soni, Luize Kremer Gamba and Fabiana de Souza Bebber (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, School of Medicine); Francisco Kozovits (Hospital Universitário Cajuru). The study was conducted at the Orthopedics Service of Hospital Universitário Cajuru. |
Tissues
| Tissue | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin and Soft Tissue | 1 arm envelope | Silicone and polyurethane | — | Part of the arm made by Pacific Research Lab – Sawbones. Mimics the skin and soft tissue of an arm and forearm compatible with an eight-year-old child, and allows palpation of the bone landmarks. |
| Bone | 3 (humerus, ulna, radius) | Radiolucent synthetic bone | — | Made by Pacific Research Lab – Sawbones. Radiolucent bones with articular movements. The fracture is in the middle third of the forearm. The synthetic bone material is friable. |
| Periosteum | 3 strips per bone | Latex | — | Strips glued (adhesive not specified in source) to the anterior, lateral and medial margins of each bone. They mimic the tension forces of the thick periosteum and soft parts. |
Structural Parts
| Part Name | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elbow fixation plate | 1 | Metal | — | Fixes the elbow joint at a right angle to stabilise the simulator during reduction practice. |
| Distal bone fixation rods | 2 | Plastic | — | Connect the radius and the ulna distally to the first and the fifth fingertip respectively. |
| Bone attachment wire | — | Stainless steel wire | — | Attaches the fixation materials to the bones. Used instead of screws because the synthetic bone material is friable. |
Build Instructions
Phase 1: Obtain the base arm
Step 1: Obtain a pediatric arm-and-forearm model made by Pacific Research Lab – Sawbones.
The model used in the source is compatible with an eight-year-old child with a fracture in the middle third of the forearm. It has a silicone and polyurethane envelope that mimics skin and soft tissue, with radiolucent bones (humerus, ulna and radius) that have articular movements.
Note: the method of making the fracture is not specified in the source.
Phase 2: Stabilise the joints
Step 1: Fix the elbow joint at a right angle with a metal plate.
This stabilises the simulator during reduction practice.
Step 2: Fix the ulna and the radius distally with plastic rods.
Connect the radius to the first fingertip and the ulna to the fifth fingertip.
Step 3: Attach the fixation materials to the bones with 0.9 mm stainless steel wire.[1]
Do not use screws. The synthetic bone material is friable.
Phase 3: Make the periosteum tension
Step 1: Prepare three latex strips, 1.25 mm thick and 5 cm long, for each bone.[1]
Step 2: Glue the three strips to the anterior, lateral and medial margins of each bone.
Adhesive not specified in source. The strips mimic the tension forces of the thick periosteum and soft parts. The aim is that approximately 80 N of force on the fracture is needed to reduce it.[1]
Phase 4: Check the finished model
Step 1: Check that the fracture fragments can be manipulated to mimic greenstick fractures and complete fractures, with or without deviation or rotation.
Step 2: Check that the bone landmarks and the unevenness of the fracture can be felt through the skin.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Soni, Jamil; Gamba, Luize Kremer; Bebber, Fabiana de Souza; Kozovits, Francisco (2023). "Development of orthopedic simulator to practice closed reduction of pediatric fractures of the middle third of forearm". Acta Ortopédica Brasileira 31 (1). doi:10.1590/1413-785220233101e252387. PMC PMC9949289. PMID 36844128. e252387.
| Authors | Arturo Pelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturo Pelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Simulators/Pediatric Mid-Forearm Closed Reduction Simulator". Appropedia. Retrieved October 17, 2026. |