2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (36): 5840-5844

Effect of internal fixation of ulnar styloid process base fracture on wrist function

Cheng Shuai, Jiang Shanyong, Lu Jianshu, Ji Xubin   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fractures of the distal radius and the base of the styloid process of the ulna are common in clinical practice. Because of the double destruction of the fracture and the surrounding ligaments and cartilage, the distal radioulnar joint is unstable. In the past, insufficient attention was paid to the fracture of the base of the styloid process of the ulna, which often led to complications such as wrist joint pain and limited range of motion after surgery, and the treatment plan was controversial.  
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of internal fixation on the function of the wrist joint with fracture of ulnar styloid process base in distal radius fracture.
METHODS: Clinical data of 40 patients with traumatic distal radius fractures accompanied by ulnar styloid process base fractures treated with concurrent surgical treatment in Dongying People’s Hospital from June 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. All distal radius fractures were operated by open reduction and internal fixation. According to whether the fracture of the base of ulnar styloid process was treated surgically or not, the patients were divided into the internal fixation group and control group, with 20 cases in each group. The measured data of X-ray films were collected before and 6 and 12 months after operation, and the ulnar inclination, palmar tilt and radial height of the two groups were compared. The ranges of motion of the wrist joint in dorsal extension, palmar flexion, radial deviation, ulnar deviation, pronation and supination directions were recorded 1 year after operation. The effect was evaluated with the Gartland-Werley scoring standard.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At the follow-up after operation, palmar tilt, ulnar inclination and radial height of the wrist joint of the two groups were all better than those before operation (P < 0.05), but the difference was not statistically significant between the two groups (P > 0.05). The ranges of motion of the wrist joint in dorsal extension, palmar flexion, radial deviation, ulnar deviation, pronation and supination directions were better in the internal fixation group than those in the control group 1 year after operation (P < 0.05). The excellent and good rate of the internal fixation group (90%) 1 year after the operation was significantly higher than that of the control group (55%) (P < 0.05). These findings conclude that one-stage internal fixation of ulnar styloid process base fracture during the operation of distal radius fracture is conducive to further recovery of wrist function.

Key words: ulnar styloid process base fracture, distal radius fracture, wrist joint function, therapeutic result, distal radioulnar joint, triangular fibrocartilage complex