Citation

Yuan C, Zhang H, Liu H, Gu J. Injury 2017; 48(11): 2575-2581.

Affiliation

Department of Hand Surgery, Subei People's Hospital, Address: NO. 98, West Nantong Road, Yangzhou 225000, China. Electronic address: gu_jiaxiang@163.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.injury.2017.08.061

PMID

28882374

Abstract

PURPOSE: An ulnar styloid fracture often occur in association with a distal radial fracture. Whether an ulnar styloid fracture interfere with the results of a distal radial fracture still remains controversial. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of an accompanying ulnar styloid fracture on clinical outcomes in patients with distal radial fractures.

METHODS: A meta-analysis of published studies comparing outcomes of distal radial fractures with an ulnar styloid fracture versus isolated distal radial fractures was performed. Outcomes of function results, radiological evaluation, and patient reported scores were analyzed.

RESULTS: Ten studies including 1403 distal radius fractures were identified fitting inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference in wrist motion, grip strength, radial height, volar angle, ulnar variance, pain score, PRWE score, or SF-36 score for distal radial fractures associated with an ulnar styloid fracture versus isolated distal radial fractures. In final follow up, patients with associated an ulnar styloid fracture had lower radial inclination and higher DASH scores. But there was no significant clinical difference. In addition, we found there was no significant difference of outcomes between union and non-union ulnar styloid fractures.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on this meta-analysis, we suggest that an associated ulnar styloid fracture does not affect the outcomes of a distal radial fracture and clinicians should be caution in electing operative treatment for patients with an ulnar styloid fracture.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Distal radius fracture; Functional outcome; Nonunion; Patient reported scores; Radiological evaluation; Ulnar styloid fracture