[Clinical follow-up study of ulnar styloid fractures and classification of distal radial fractures].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the result of the distal radial fractures with or without ulnar styloid fracture.


METHODS
From January 2007 to October 2010, 62  cases with distal radial fractures were treated by ORIF, of which 52 were followed-up entirely with an average of 15 months (6-34 months), including 6 male  cases and 46 female cases at an average age of (62.25±8.25) years. All ulnar styloid fractures were not fixed. According to ulnar styloid fractures, all cases  were divided into two groups, group A (32 cases with ulnar styloid fractures) and group B (20 cases without). Group A was further divided into type I (tip  fracture of ulnar styloid, 12 cases) and type II (base fracture of ulnar styloid, 20 cases). AO classification, volar tilt, radial inclination and radial height were  recorded before and after operation. Complications and Garlant-Werley Scores were evaluated 3 months and 1 year after operation.


RESULTS
All distal  radial fractures were union in 8 weeks to 12 weeks. There were significant differences in radial inclination and radial process height, but not in volar tilt  between groups A and B before operation. We found no significant differences in volar tilt, radial inclination, radial process height and Garlant-Werley  scores between groups A and B 3 months and 1 year after operation. There were also no significant differences between type I and type II. Fineness was  81%. Complications were found in 6 cases (4 in group A and 2 in group B), in which there were 1 case with a screw cutting-off and traumatic arthritis, 2  cases with sup-nerve injury and 1 case with heterotopic ossification, 1 case of malunion , and 1 case with wrist stiffness and traumatic arthritis.


CONCLUSIONS
ORIF with locking plate in distal radial fracture is safe and effective. There is no significant difference between the outcomes of patients with  and without ulnar styloid fractures, also in patients with type I and type II fractures, union or nonunion of fractures, according to the X-ray measurement  and Garlant-Werley wrist function scores. However, long-term following-up is still needed.
Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Friendship Hospital-Affiliate of Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China. zlyd66@sina.com
Liang
L
Zhao
Bao-jun
BJ
Wang
Ya-dong
YD
Li
Hao-sen
HS
Yu
Zhen-yu
ZY
Liu
Hua
H
Gao
Chang-gui
CG
Liu
D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*