Fractures of the ulnar styloid in young adults: to fix or not?

ABSTRACT

In this study, 44 cases of fracture base of the ulnar styloid were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using tension band wiring. 68% of the cases were associated with unstable distal radius fracture. In 10% of the cases, the ulnar styloid fracture was isolated; in 11% of the cases, it was associated with carpal injuries, fractures and or dislocation as well as 11% were associated with Galeazzi fracture. The assessment of stability of the distal radio-ulnar joint was tested after fixation, during surgery. An additional percutaneous fixation of distal radio ulnar joint [DRUJ] by KW was done in four cases. The results were encouraging, 85% of the patients had painless free range of supination-pronation. A residual prominence of the ulnar head was observed in two cases