• Shuzhen Li, Yueping Chen, Zonghan Lin, Qie Fan, Wei Cui, and Zhe Feng.
• Department of Orthopedics, the Affiliated Ruikang Hospital, Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medical College, Nanning Guangxi, 530011, P.R.China.
• Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2012 Jun 1;26(6):666-70.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of associated ulnar styloid fracture on wrist function after distal radius fracture by comparing the clinical data between the cases of distal radius fracture with or without ulnar styloid fractures.MethodsThe clinical data of 182 patients with distal radius fracture between February 2005 and May 2010 were retrospectively analyzed, including 75 with ulnar styloid fracture (group A), and 107 without ulnar styloid fracture (group B). There was no significant difference in sex, age, disease duration, and fracture classification between 2 groups (P > 0.05). In groups A and B, closed reduction and splintlet or cast fixation were performed in 42 and 63 cases respectively, and open reduction and internal fixation in 33 and 44 cases respectively. All ulnar styloid fractures were not treated.ResultsThe patients were followed up 21 months on average in group A and 20 months on average in group B. All incisions healed by first intention after operation. Ulnar wrist pain occurred in 4 patients (5.3%) of group A and 6 patients (5.6%) of group B, showing no significant difference (chi2=0.063, P=0.802). The fracture healing time was (10.9 +/- 2.7) weeks in group A and (11.6 +/- 2.3) weeks in group B, showing no significant difference (t=1.880, P=0.062). There was no significant difference in the palmar tilt angle, the ulnar inclination angle, and the radial length between groups A and B when fracture healing (P > 0.05). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in wrist flexion-extension, radial-ulnar deviation, pronation-supination, and grip and pinch strength between 2 groups (P > 0.05). According to the Gartland-Werley score in groups A and B, the results were excellent in 24 and 35 cases, good in 43 and 57 cases, fair in 5 and 10 cases, and poor in 3 and 5 cases with execllent and good rate of 89.3% and 86.0%, respectively, showing no significant difference between 2 groups (Z=0.203, P=0.839). There were significant differences in the above indexes between patients undergoing closed reduction and open reduction in group A (P < 0.05).ConclusionAssociated ulnar styloid fracture has no obvious effect on the wrist function after distal radius fracture. The anatomical reduction of distal radial fracture is the crucial importance in the treatment of distal radial fracture accompanying ulnar styloid fracture.

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