Ulnar fracture natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohammadmain Rezazadehsaatlou[2] ;

Overview

The prognosis ulnar fracture depends on many factors. However, the factors under the orthopedics surgeons control are: treatment method, timing of internal fixation in open fractures, soft-tissue handling, and restoration of osseous anatomy.

Complication

The type and frequency of complications of the ulnar fracture varies. Its been reported that the ulnar fracture related complication and post-traumatic arthritis rates are 6% – 80% and 7% -65%, respectively. Malunion with an intra-articular or extra-articular deformity non-union, tendon attrition/rupture complications and neurological injuries are the most frequent complication in this regard^[1]^[2]^[3].

Prognosis

The prognosis of ulnar fracture is more guarded for open fractures of the shaft of the ulna with major skin and soft-tissue loss. In these patients, several operative procedures may be necessary, including initial debridement and stabilization, skin grafting, pedicle or free-flap applications, late reconstruction of the bones, and, frequently, tendon transfers^[1]^[4]^[5].

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Meena S, Sharma P, Sambharia AK, Dawar A (2014). “Fractures of distal radius: an overview”. J Family Med Prim Care. 3 (4): 325–32. doi:10.4103/2249-4863.148101. PMC 4311337. PMID 25657938.
↑ Stitgen A, McCarthy JJ, Nemeth BA, Garrels K, Noonan KJ (March 2012). “Ulnar fracture with late radial head dislocation: delayed Monteggia fracture”. Orthopedics. 35 (3): e434–7. doi:10.3928/01477447-20120222-35. PMID 22385459.
↑ Wysocki RW, Ruch DS (March 2012). “Ulnar styloid fracture with distal radius fracture”. J Hand Surg Am. 37 (3): 568–9. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2011.08.035. PMID 22018474.
↑ Manidakis N, Sperelakis I, Hackney R, Kontakis G (July 2012). “Fractures of the ulnar coronoid process”. Injury. 43 (7): 989–98. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2011.08.030. PMID 21963158.
↑ Siebenlist S, Schmidt-Horlohé K, Hoffmann R, Stöckle U, Lucke M (June 2011). “[Proximal ulna fractures]”. Z Orthop Unfall (in German). 149 (3): e1–e19. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1271144. PMID 21713726.

[pmid25657938-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Meena S, Sharma P, Sambharia AK, Dawar A (2014). “Fractures of distal radius: an overview”. J Family Med Prim Care. 3 (4): 325–32. doi:10.4103/2249-4863.148101. PMC 4311337. PMID 25657938.

[pmid22385459-2] Stitgen A, McCarthy JJ, Nemeth BA, Garrels K, Noonan KJ (March 2012). “Ulnar fracture with late radial head dislocation: delayed Monteggia fracture”. Orthopedics. 35 (3): e434–7. doi:10.3928/01477447-20120222-35. PMID 22385459.

[pmid22018474-3] Wysocki RW, Ruch DS (March 2012). “Ulnar styloid fracture with distal radius fracture”. J Hand Surg Am. 37 (3): 568–9. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2011.08.035. PMID 22018474.

[pmid21963158-4] Manidakis N, Sperelakis I, Hackney R, Kontakis G (July 2012). “Fractures of the ulnar coronoid process”. Injury. 43 (7): 989–98. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2011.08.030. PMID 21963158.

[pmid21713726-5] Siebenlist S, Schmidt-Horlohé K, Hoffmann R, Stöckle U, Lucke M (June 2011). “[Proximal ulna fractures]”. Z Orthop Unfall (in German). 149 (3): e1–e19. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1271144. PMID 21713726.

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