This position can be indicated when there are additional hand or forearm injuries.
This position and approach provide good access to the lateral proximal forearm, but medial access is quite limited. Repair of some olecranon and coronoid fractures may be difficult. Consider a posterior skin incision allowing a more extensile approach, with the patient prone or lateral decubitus.
The lateral decubitus position can be helpful for managing proximal forearm fractures, particularly for large patients or those with concurrent distal humerus fractures.
The majority of patients with isolated proximal forearm fracture can be positioned supine, with the arm across the chest, posterior exposure is enhanced.
