[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.

CONCLUSION: 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.