Background Volar ulnar corner fractures are a subset of distal radius fractures that can have disastrous complications if not appreciated, recognized, and appropriately managed. The volar ulnar corner of the distal radius is the “critical corner” between the radial calcar, distal ulna, and carpus and is responsible for maintaining stability while transferring force from the carpus. Description Force transmitted from the carpus to the radial diaphysis is via the radial calcar. A breach in this area of thickened cortex may result in the collapse of the critical corner. The watershed ridge (line) is clinically important in these injuries and must be appreciated during planning and fixation. Fractures distal to the watershed ridge create an added level of complexity and associated injuries must be managed. An osteoligamentous unit comprises bone–ligament–bone construct. Volar ulnar corner fractures represent a spectrum of osteoligamentous injuries each with their own associated injuries and management techniques. The force from the initial volar ulnar corner fracture can propagate along the volar rim resulting in an occult volar ligament injury, which is a larger zone of injury than appreciated on radiographs and computerized tomography scan. These lesions are often underestimated at the time of fixation, and for this reason, we refer to them as sleeper lesions. Unfortunately, they may become unmasked once the wrist is mobilized or loaded. Conclusions Management requires careful planning due to a relatively high rate of complications after fixation. A systematic approach to plate positioning, utilizing several fixation techniques beyond the standard volar rim plate, and utilizing fluoroscopy and/or arthroscopy is the key strategy to assist with management. In this article, we take a different view of the volar ulnar corner anatomy, applied anatomy of the region, associated injuries, and management options.

This investigation looked at functional outcomes, following a novel technique of surgical repair using table staples. Patients underwent surgery for proximal hamstring rupture with table staples used to hold the tendon reapproximated to the ischial tuberosity. Functional outcomes following surgery were assessed. We also used a combined outcome assessment measure: the Perth Hamstring Assessment Tool (PHAT). A total of 56 patients with a mean age of 51 (range 15–71) underwent surgery. The mean follow-up duration was 26 months (range 8–59 months). A large proportion of patients (21/56, 37.5%) required reoperation for removal of the staple. Patients that did not require removal of the table staple did well postoperatively, with low pain scores (0.8–2 out of 10) and good levels of return to sport or running (75.8%). Those that required removal of the staple had a significantly lower PHAT score prior to removal, 47.8, but this improved markedly once the staple was removed, with a mean of 77.2 (P<0.001). Although our patients achieved similar outcomes in terms of pain and function, we thought the reoperation rate was unacceptably high. We would not recommend proximal hamstring tendon repair using this technique.

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