Concomitant Ulnar Styloid Fractures in Distal Radius Osteosynthesis Does Not Impact Radiographic Outcomes, Ulnar Sided Symptoms and Patient Outcomes

@#Introduction: Current literature reports varied significance of ulnar styloid fractures (USF) associated with distal radius fractures. Our study assesses the role of ulnar styloid fractures and fragment size in surgically managed distal radius fractures. Materials and methods: We reviewed patients who underwent surgical fixation of distal radius fractures between January 2004 to June 2006. Patients were divided into those with (Group 1) and without (Group 0) USFs. Post-operative radiographic parameters, clinical outcomes and overall wrist function were analysed. Outcomes included ulnar-sided wrist pain, extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendinitis, triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) grind test, distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability and pain. Overall wrist function was assessed with range of motion and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. Results: Our study cohort included 31 males and 23 females, and 38.9% of these patients had concomitant USFs. There was no difference in terms of demographic data and fracture configuration between groups. Radiographic parameters were similar, except for palmar tilt, which was significantly higher in Group 1 (4.6º vs 9.4º, p=0.047). At 24 months, there were no differences in clinical outcomes and overall wrist function. A sub-group analysis showed that mean USF fragment size was larger in patients with a positive TFCC grind test (3.9mm vs 7.3mm, p=0.033). Conclusion: The presence of USFs in surgically managed distal radius fractures does not compromise clinical and functional outcome. Similarly, the size of USFs does not impact clinical and functional outcome but is associated with the presence of a positive TFCC grind test.

Types of ulnar styloid process fracture and treatment of distal radius fracture / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of types of ulnar styloid process fracture on the treatment of distal radius fracture.Methods:The 80 patients were analyzed retrospectively who had been treated at The First Department of Hand Surgery, Honghui Hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 for fracture of distal radius complicated with fracture of ulnar styloid process. They were 25 males and 55 females, aged from 30 to 85 years (average, 58.6 years). According to the types of ulnar styloid process fracture, 40 patients were assigned into a Hauck type Ⅰ group and the other 40 into a Hauck type Ⅱ group. The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation, postoperative complications, hospital stay, bone union, visual analogue scale (VAS) on postoperative 1 to 3 days, and modified Mayo wrist function score, wrist range of motion and quality of life by WHOQOL-BREF at the last follow-up.Results:The 2 groups were comparable because there was no significant difference in age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) rating, or time from injury to operation between them ( P>0.05). All the patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months (average, 17 months). There was no significant difference between Hauck type Ⅰ group and Hauck type Ⅱ group in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, rate of postoperative complications, fracture union, modified Mayo wrist function score or VAS on postoperative 1 to 3 days ( P>0.05). At the last follow-up, the palm tilt and ulnar inclination angles were 13.8°±1.9° and 21.6°±2.8° in Hauck type Ⅰ group, significantly larger than those in Hauck type Ⅱ group (11.9°±1.6° and 18.8°±2.3°) ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, Hauck Ⅰ group scored 85.3±6.4,85.6±6.5, 84.7±6.3 and 85.0±6.7 respectively in the domains of physical health, psychology, environment and social relationships, significantly higher than those Hauck type Ⅱ group did (78.5±6.5, 78.9±6.5, 77.8±6.1 and 77.9±6.3) ( P<0.05). Conclusions:In open reduction and internal fixation for distal radius fracture, Hauck Type Ⅰ fracture of ulnar styloid process has no significant effect on the functional recovery of the wrist but Hauck Type Ⅱ fracture of ulnar styloid process may. Therefore, surgical fixation needs to be strengthened if Hauck Type Ⅱ fracture of ulnar styloid process is complicated.

Establishment and mechanical analysis of the finite element model of the type frykman VIII fracture of the distal radius with steel plate fixation / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Generally, the treatment of distal radius fractures or joint dislocations is generally valued in clinical practice, but little attention is paid to the ulnar styloid fracture, and whether the ulnar styloid fracture needs to be fixed is controversial. In the study of orthopedic biomechanics, the selection of cadaver model may encounter some problems, such as different selection criteria of cadaver model and different mechanical measurement methods. OBJECTIVE: Based on Mimics software, the finite element simulation model of type Frykman VIII fracture of the distal radius fixed by plate and screw was constructed using finite element analysis. The working condition and load were set for mechanical analysis. It is hoped to provide a reference for the choice of the repair plan of this kind of fracture. METHODS: A three-dimensional finite element model of normal wrist joint was established based on the forearm and wrist CT images of a healthy volunteer. After debugging the model, Von Mises stress of the distal radius was obtained by loading the 100 N stress in the axial direction, and the validity of the model was verified by comparing with the experimental data in the literature. Two kinds of finite element models of Frykman VIII fracture with ulnar styloid type I and type II fractures were established by using finite element software to divide the mesh, cut and mold, and the model of plate and screw fixation of distal radius was assembled. Setting load under rotating working conditions, we analyzed the changes of the stress distribution of the steel plate unit in two models, and the relative displacement of the distal radioulnar joint as well as the ulnar styloid fracture broken end. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) A three-dimensional finite element model of normal wrist joint was established and validated, and the other two models of type Frykman VIII fracture of the distal radius with ulnar styloid type I and type II fractures fixed by plate and screw were established based on this model. (2) Under the same rotating load, this study showed that the stress and stress distribution of the steel plate unit in the steel plate fixation model of Frykman VIII fracture of the distal radius combined with ulnar styloid type I fracture were smaller than those of the fracture model combined with type II fracture of styloid process of ulna; the relative displacement values of the distal radioulnar joint and the ulnar styloid fracture broken end were smaller than the latter too. (3) The three-dimensional finite element model of wrist joint constructed in this study can be used to analyze the mechanical mechanism of wrist fracture. The results of finite element analysis showed that the fracture of styloid process of ulna in Frykman VIII fracture of the distal radius would affect the stability of the distal radioulnar joint, especially in the case of ulnar styloid type II fracture, which can provide a certain clinical reference for the selection of operation scheme of such fracture.

Effects of ulnar styloid and sigmoid notch fractures on postoperative wrist function of patients with distal radius fracture / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effects of ulnar styloid and sigmoid notch fractures on postoperative wrist function in patients with distal radius fracture.@*METHODS@#In total, 139 patients treated for distal radius fracture in the Department of Orthopedic Trauma at Peking University People's Hospital from Jan. 2006 to June 2016 were selected for outpatient follow-ups. Evaluation was based on Sartiento's modification of the Gartland and Werley scores. Efficacy was assessed with wrist pain as the focus.@*RESULTS@#The excellent and good efficacy rate was 97.1% (excellent: n=107, 77.0%; good: n=28, 19.4%; and fair: n=4, 2.9%). Gender, age, and whether the ulnar styloid fracture achieved union did not significantly impact the scores (P>0.05). The scores of the basal fracture group were significantly different (P=0.001). Internal fixation of ulnar styloid fracture was associated with a significant difference in scores (P=0.005). The effect of sigmoid notch fracture was also associated with a significant difference in scores (P=0.024). This study included 22 cases of ulnar wrist pain, and the overall incidence of ulnar wrist pain was 15.8%. Gender, age, whether the ulnar styloid fracture achieved union, and whether internal fixation was conducted for ulnar styloid fracture and sigmoid notch fracture had no significant effect on the occurrence of ulnar wrist pain (P>0.05). The incidence of ulnar wrist pain was higher in basal fractures than that in tip fractures. Among ulnar styloid fractures, the union rate of basal fracture was higher than that of tip fractures. The union rates of basal fracture and tip fracture were significantly different (P<0.001). Basal fractures were significant risk factors for ulnar wrist pain (P=0.028). Basal fracture of the ulnar styloid group and sigmoid notch fracture group had poor wrist function scores. Wrist function score improved significantly after internal fixation of ulnar styloid fracture. The incidence of ulnar wrist pain was higher in basal fracture group. The union rate in basal fracture group was higher than in tip fracture group.@*CONCLUSION@#The overall effect of surgical treatment of distal radius fracture is satisfactory. Ulnar styloid basal fracture and sigmoid notch fracture are risk factors for postoperative wrist dysfunction in patients with distal radius fracture, and the basal fracture is one of the risk factors of ulnar wrist pain. The union rate of ulnar styloid basal fractures is better than that of tip fractures. Internal fixation of ulnar styloid fracture can improve wrist function.

Evaluation of the Foveal Involvement of the Ulnar Styloid Fracture: A Comparison of the Plain Radiography and Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography

PURPOSE: There remains uncertain whether to fix or not an ulnar styloid fracture acommpanied by distal radius fracture. Fixation might be required in cases of the fracture involving a fovea of ulnar head, an attachment site of deep triangular fibrocartilage, which is thought to be important to distal radioulnar joint stability. We analyzed a fovea involvement of an accompanied ulnar styloid fracture in patients with distal radius fracture by simple radiograph and three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 168 patients who underwent surgery with volar locking plate for distal radius fracture in our hospital from January 2005 to March 2015 and evaluated a fovea involvement of ulnar head by simple radiographs and 3D CT respectively, and compared. RESULTS: On simple X-ray, 64 cases (38%) were ulnar styloid fovea fractures; however, 21 cases of these revealed non-fovea fractures by 3D CT. And 7 out of 104 cases determined as non-fovea fracture by simple radiographs were diagnosed as fovea fractures by 3D CT. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of evaluation by simple radiograph were 86%, 82% and 83% respectively, when compared with those of 3D CT based evaluation. CONCLUSION: Accuracy of evaluating an accompanied ulnar styloid fovea fracture in patients with distal radius fracture by simple radiograph, when compared with 3D CT, was 83%; therefore, we recommend using the 3D CT based evaluation instead of simple radiograph based one for determination of fovea involvement of ulnar head.

Bioabsorbable tension band for the treatment of ulnar styloid fracture / 中国组织工程研究

10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2013.25.024

Treatment of Ulnar Fractures Combined with Distal Radius Fracture / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Approximately 5-6% of distal radius fractures have a concomitant distal ulnar fracture, this incidence is more frequent in osteoporotic elderly patients. When the distal ulnar fracture is stable after fixation of the distal radius fracture, the distal ulnar fracture can be managed with cast immobilization. However, when the distal ulnar fracture shows malalignment or instability, an operative method should be used. The operative method for distal ulnar fracture includes internal fixation using a K-wire, intramedullary nail, or plates and salvage procedures including ulnar head resection or Sauve-Kapandji procedure. Approximately 50% of distal radius fractures are combined with ulnar styloid process fracture. Although approximately 50-70% of ulnar styloid process fractures result in nonunion if they are not treated by an operative method, they tend to be asymptomatic. Recent studies of distal radius fracture treated using a volar locking plate have generally reported that neither the presence nor the size of concomitant ulnar styloid fracture has an effect on clinical outcome.

Factors Predicting Late Collapse of Distal Radius Fractures

Background: Although fractures of the distal radius are a common clinical presentation, many factors affect instability of these injuries. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of age, sex, distal radial ulnar joint injury (DRUJ), ulnar styloid fracture, and dorsal displacement in late collapse of distal radius fractures. Methods: Three hundred twenty-nine patient fractures were measured for dorsal tilt, radial inclination and ulnar variance after reduction and 2 months later. Reduction loss was analysed statistically against variables like DRUJ involvement, ulnar styloid fractures, age, sex, and AO classification. Results: After two months there was loss of reduction in 171(51.9%) cases. Loss of reduction was related to age, AO classification, involvement of DRUJ, ulnar styloid fractures and initial displacement. Conclusions: Factors such as age, associated DRUJ injury, ulnar styloid fracture are predictive of loss of reduction. Knowing these predictor factors, can aid in decision regarding treatment methods.

The 'beta-wire Technique' for the Fixation of Ulnar Styloid Process Fracture: Surgical Technique

For the fixation of ulnar styloid process fracture, we want to introduce the 'beta-wire technique', which is easy to learn and practice and thought to give a compressive force to the fracture site.

Operative Treatment for Ulnar Styloid Process Fractures with Unstable Intraarticular Distal Radius Fractures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes of the operative treatment for the unstable distal radius fractures with displaced ulnar styloid process fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2002 to 2005, 17 patients with unstable distal radius fractures with displaced ulnar styloid process fractures were treated operatively, using external fixation or internal fixation for distal radius and open reduction with tension band wiring for ulnar styloid process fractures. We evaluated postoperative outcomes with Mayo wrist score, range of motion, ulnar side wrist pain, wrist stress test, grip strength as well as radiological evaluation. RESULTS: All ulnar styloid process fractures were completely united, and according to Mayo wrist score, 7 cases(41%) were excellent, 8 cases(47%) were good. 14 cases(82%) had no ulnar wrist pain and 15 cases(88%) had grip strength more than 50% when compared with the normal side. Posterior instability of ulnar head occurred at 1 case. CONCLUSION: We got acceptable clinical and radiological results of operative treatment of ulnar styloid process fractures and concluded that ulnar styloid process fractures combined with distal radius fractures should be carefully evaluated and treated operatively according to their fracture types.

Distal Radioulnar Joint Injuries Associated with Intra-articular Fracture of Distal Radius

PURPOSE: To evaluate the significance of distal radioulnar joint injury which may affect the postoperative radiologic and clinical results of AO classification, type C distal radius fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2000 to October 2005, 58 patients of AO classification, type C distal radius fracture, who had been treated with operative methods were studied. They are thirty-six men and twenty-two women. The average follow up period was 14 months. The patients were divided into five groups. In the first group (13 cases), there was no distal radioulnar joint injuries. In the second group (20 cases), there were ulnar styloid fractures. In the third group (11 cases), there were separation of distal radioulnar joint. In the fourth group (9 cases), there were ulnar styloid fractures with separation of distal radioulnar joint. In the fifth group (5 cases), there were displacement of ulna in sagittal plane. We measured the radial length, radial inclination and volar tilt in plain radiograph in each group and analyzed the results through Scheck's methods. To analyzed the clinical results, we used the Demerit Point System by Sarmiento. RESULTS: There was no significant differences in radiologic and clinical results among the five groups. CONCLUSION: According to compairing the radiologic results of each group which was suspicious of distal radioulnar joint injuries, in the intraarticular comminuted fractures of distal radius, the distal radioulnar joint injuries did not affect the results of treatment when anatomical reduction of distal radius was achieved.