Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) Classification for Radial Diaphyseal Forearm Fractures

The Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) classification divides fractures of the radial diaphysis in the forearm into 7 groups.

Main Group	Features	Group
simple	transverse	I
simple	oblique with angle > 30°	II
simple	spiral	III
butterfly fragment	fragment involves < 50% of shaft	IVA
butterfly fragment	fragment involves > 50%	IVB
comminuted	involves < 50% of shaft	VA
comminuted	involves > 50%	VB
segmental	3 or 4 fragments	VIA
segmental	with longitudinal split or comminuted	VIB
bone loss	loss involves < 50% of shaft	VIIA
bone loss	loss involves > 50%	VIIB

where:

• I assume an oblique fracture with angle <= 30° would be considered Type I (transverse).

• A 50% involvement is not included in the butterfly, comminuted or bone loss groups. For the implementation I will use >= 50%.

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