title: Clinical effects of internal fixation for ulnar styloid fractures associated with distal radius fractures: A matched case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ulnar styloid fractures are often associated with distal radius fractures. However, controversy exists regarding whether to treat ulnar styloid fractures. This study aimed to evaluate clinical effects of internal fixation for ulnar styloid fractures after distal radius fractures were treated with the volar locking plate system.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used prospectively collected data of distal radius fractures. 111 patients were enrolled in this study. A matched case-control study design was used. We selected patients who underwent fixation for ulnar styloid fractures (case group). Three control patients for each patient of the case group were matched on the basis of age, sex, and fracture type of distal radius fractures from among patients who did not undergo fixation for ulnar styloid fractures (control group). The case group included 16 patients (7 men, 9 women; mean age: 52.6 years; classification of ulnar styloid fractures: center, 3; base, 11; and proximal, 2). The control group included 48 patients (15 men, 33 women; mean age: 61.1 years; classification of ulnar styloid fractures: center, 10; base, 31; and proximal, 7). For radiographic examination, the volar tilt angle, radial inclination angle, and ulnar variance length were measured, and the union of ulnar styloid fractures was judged. For clinical examination, the range of motions, grip strength, Hand20 score, and Numeric Rating Scale score were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was little correction loss for each radiological parameter of fracture reduction, and these parameters were not significantly different between the groups. The bone-healing rate of ulnar styloid fractures was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group, but the clinical results were not significantly different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We revealed that there was no need to fix ulnar styloid fractures when distal radius fractures were treated via open reduction and internal fixation with a volar locking plate system.
authors: Anjo Kosei Hospital, 28 Higashi Hirokute, Anjio-cho, Anjyo, 446-8602, Japan. Electronic address: hideyoshi801015@gmail.com.
authors: Hideyoshi
authors: H
authors: Sawada
authors: Chunichi Hospital, 3-12-3 Marunouchi, Naka-ku, Nagoya, 460-0002, Japan.
authors: Takaaki
authors: T
authors: Shinohara
authors: Kariya Toyota General Hospital, 5-15 Sumiyoshi, Kariya, 448-8505, Japan.
authors: Tadahiro
authors: T
authors: Natsume
authors: Department of Hand Surgery, Nagoya University of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
authors: Hitoshi
authors: H
authors: Hirata
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography / Q000379:methods; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult