Distal Ulna Fracture Fixation with the Specialized Threaded Pin.

PURPOSE: Distal ulna fractures can often be treated nonsurgically; however, many surgeons consider significant displacement or instability, especially following fixation of an associated distal radius fracture, an indication for surgical fixation because of potential problems associated with malunion of these fractures. Traditionally, these fractures have been addressed with plate fixation but hardware in this location is often prominent and associated with a high rate of symptomatic hardware and subsequent hardware removal. We proposed a method of intramedullary fixation using a specialized threaded pin. As this fixation is intramedullary, it avoids many of the problems associated with traditional surgical treatment methods for this fracture. We present a series of nine patients treated in this manner, all of whom had associated distal radius fractures.

METHODS: Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were reviewed, after which patients were contacted via phone. Patient-reported outcome measures, including Quick DASH and visual analog scale scores, were assessed.

RESULTS: The average Quick DASH score was 13.6 (range, 0-100), with a median of 9.1. Three patients reported occasional ulnar-sided wrist pain, with an average visual analog scale score of 1.3 (range, 0-10) and a median of 0.5. All patients returned to all activities except one patient who could not resume playing musical instruments because of stiffness. No patient required removal of the threaded pin, but one patient underwent removal of the radial volar plate. No other patients underwent secondary procedures.

CONCLUSIONS: Threaded pin fixation is a viable alternative to existing options for distal ulnar neck fractures and may have an advantage over plate fixation because of a lack of hardware prominence.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.