Results of 70 consecutive ulnar nightstick fractures

Does operative fixation of isolated fractures of ulna shaft results in different outcomes than non-operative management by long arm cast?

“…The mean time to union was 13 weeks for ORIF group and 18 weeks for cast group in our study which is similar to other published studies. [2][3][4][5][6][7]9 The VAS score, the range of motion at the elbow and the wrist and grip strength were marginally better in the ORIF group than the cast group at the end of 12 months in our study, but this difference failed to reach statistical significance. Studies show that the mode of treatment has little or no influence on clinical and functional outcomes in isolated ulna fractures.…”

“…Studies have recommended operative fixation for the fracture of proximal third of ulna, fractures with displacement as low as 25% to > 50% or angulation of the fracture in any plane as low as 8 to >15 . [5][6][7] A fracture is considered unstable when the interosseous membrane joining the radius and ulna is torn, and operative management is recommended, but the data on fracture displacement at the time of injury being a contributing factor for the development of non-union is conflicting. [7][8][9] We recruited patients with more than one cortex displacement and/or > 15 angulation in both the groups.…”

“…Studies show that the mode of treatment has little or no influence on clinical and functional outcomes in isolated ulna fractures. 5 Both the operative and non-operative methods of management have shown good to excellent results. [4][5][6][13][14][15][16][17] One of the advantages of operative treatment over the non-operative treatment is the early restoration of function and range of motion of elbow and wrist in published studies.…”

“…5 Both the operative and non-operative methods of management have shown good to excellent results. [4][5][6][13][14][15][16][17] One of the advantages of operative treatment over the non-operative treatment is the early restoration of function and range of motion of elbow and wrist in published studies. 4,5,10,11 Patients in ORIF group in our study did marginally better than the cast group for the range of motion of elbow, but the difference did not reach statistical significance.…”

Nightstick Fractures, Outcomes of Operative and Non-Operative Treatment

“…Coulibaly et al in 2015 conducted a retrospective case-control analysis on patients diagnosed with IUSF to compare surgical and nonsurgical outcomes (25). They measured complications and functional ability.…”