Published in:
01-10-2010 | Original Article
Comminuted proximal Ulna fractures: injury pattern surgical techniques and outcome
Published in: European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology | Issue 7/2010
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Hypothesis
Recently doubt has been shown in relationship between congruency of olacrenon fracture and outcome. The aim of this study was to assess the functional outcome of the comminuted proximal ulnar fractures following open reduction and internal fixation employing various fixation techniques and to study the impact of non-anatomical reduction.
Methods
Fifty-two consecutive comminuted olacrenon fractures presenting to our unit were retrospectively studied.
Results
There was a bimodal distribution of age. Twenty-four patients (46%) had associated elbow dislocations. Twenty patients (38%) had concurrent radial fractures. Five different fixation techniques were used to stabilise the fracture. Twenty patients (38%) were noted to have incongruent reduction. There were eight cases of non-union, one case of plate fracture, five cases of heterotopic ossification, four cases of synostosis, and one case of deep infection.
Conclusions
The functional outcome was associated with congruency of fixation rather than severity of comminution. All major bony complications were noted to be associated with incongruent fixation.