Fixation of Distal Ulna Fractures by Distal Ulnar Locked Hook Plate

Abstract

Background: Distal ulna fractures are often found in conjunction with distal radius fractures, and the complexity of the interaction of the distal ulna with the radio-ulnar joint and triangular fibrocartilage complex makes understanding and treatment of distal ulna fractures challenging. Objective: To determine the efficacy and analyze the results of Locking Compression Distal Ulna Hook Plate (LC-DUP) in patients suffering from distal ulnar fracture (either isolated or associated with distal radius fractures). Patients and methods: This prospective clinical trial study included 18 patients. The age of the studied group ranged from 22 to 58 years; half of the group had age ranged from 30 to 40 years. They were suffering from distal ulna fractures and were treated by locked compression distal ulnar hook plates during the period from November 2019 to July 2020. Results: All patients eventually achieved full union. Only two of them had delayed union. The radiological and clinical assessment of fracture site and DRUJ was promising. More than three quarters of patients had excellent outcome, while the rest quarter; half of them had good, and the other half had satisfactory outcome according to the Modified MAYO Score, which had mean of 90.5 ± 14.6. While, the mean of the Quick DASH score was 9.8 ± 5.8. Conclusion: The good outcomes achieved in this study suggest that the use of the distal ulna hook plate could be an alternative treatment method for intra-articular ulna neck or head fractures, as well as basal oblique ulnar styloid fractures.