Early and late fixation of ulnar styloid base fractures yields different outcomes

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research Vol. 13; no. 1; p. 193
• Main Authors: Chen, Alvin Chao-Yu, Chiu, Chih-Hao, Weng, Chun-Jui, Chang, Shih-Sheng, Cheng, Chun-Ying
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 31.07.2018; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age; Analysis; Biomechanics; Bones; Care and treatment; Distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ); Distal radius fracture (DRF); Elbow; Female; Fracture Fixation, Internal - methods; Fractures; Health aspects; Humans; Internal fixation in fractures; Male; Methods; Middle Aged; Orthopedics; Outcome and process assessment (Health Care); Pain; Patients; Radius Fractures - surgery; Range of Motion, Articular; Retrospective Studies; Statistical analysis; Studies; Surgery; Surgical outcomes; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC); Ulna Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Ulna Fractures - surgery; Ulnar styloid; Wounds and injuries; Wrist Injuries - diagnostic imaging; Wrist Injuries - surgery; Young Adult; Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC); Distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ); Ulnar styloid; Distal radius fracture (DRF)
• ISSN: 1749-799X; 1749-799X
• DOI: 10.1186/s13018-018-0899-6

The role of surgical fixation of ulnar styloid fractures remains a subject of debate. The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes following early and late intervention. We retrospectively reviewed 28 patients who underwent surgical repair for unilateral ulnar styloid fractures with distal radioulnar instability between 2004 and 2014. Surgical fixation was performed within 3 months of injury in 13 patients (group A) and beyond 3 months in 15 patients (group B). Patient characteristics and functional outcomes were compared between the two groups. The outcome survey consisted of QuickDASH score, grip strength, range of motion, pain score based on the visual analog scale, and surgical complications. Descriptive statistics were calculated for key variables. A p value of < 0.01 was considered statistically significant. Patient characteristics including age, sex, injured side, dominant side injury, and concomitant distal radius fracture showed no significant differences between the two groups. Time to surgery averaged 1.1 months in group A and 12.3 months in group B. Significantly better outcomes were found in group A than in group B, including QuickDASH scores (4.4 ± 5.9 vs. 12.9 ± 9.9) and grip strength (37.4 ± 5.1 vs. 29.1 ± 5.9 kg). Significantly better range of motion was found in group A than in group B with respect to supination (81.9° ± 4.3° vs. 75° ± 8.5°), extension (84.6 ± 4.3 vs. 76.7 ± 6.5), and flexion (80.4° ± 3.8° vs. 72° ± 4.1°). The difference was not significant in case of pronation (78.8° ± 3° vs. 74.3° ± 5.9°) and with respect to pain scores (0.6 ± 0.7 vs. 1.3 ± 1). Both osseous and soft tissue lesions need to be fully addressed in ulnar styloid fractures. Early detection and surgical repair yielded better outcomes. Higher complication rates in late-treated fractures show that surgeons should select surgical candidates and modalities properly.