RESUMEN
The commonest cause for residual wrist disability after fractures of the distal radius is the distal radioulnar joint injury with resultant pain and limitation of movements. Early management in the acute stage aimed to reduce the incidence of painful sequelae and functional deficit
Objective: Is to describe the results of open reduction and internal fixation of fractures of the distal ulna associated with fractures of the distal end of the radius
Patients and Methods: Two groups were studied. Group]: Twenty-five wrist joints [9 left, 16 right] in 25 patients [15 women, 10 men] were selectively treated with an external fixation for the radial fracture combined with internal fixation of the distal ulnar fracture or the ulnar styloid fracture. Group2: 40 patients subjected to manual reduction and application of external fixator for distal radial fracture only
Results: The range of motion of the affected wrist recovered, showing a mean extension of 74.6°, a mean flexion of 73.1°, a mean supination of 84.9°, and a mean pronation of 78.4°. Radiographically, the radial inclination was 19.5°, palmar tilt was 11.24°, and ulnar variance was 2.1 mm. There was a significant improvement of the clinical and radiologic criteria of group] over group 2
Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation of a distal ulnar fractures with distal radius fractures is advocated