Title: Functional Outcome after Surgical Stabilization of Fractures of Distal End of Radius with or Without Ulnar Styloid Fractures- A Comparative Study
Authors: Dr R. Srikanth Varma, Dr Srikanth Gowrala, Dr Saikiran Balagondi
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i4.16
Abstract
Background: The impact of an unrepaired fracture of the ulnar styloid process on recovery after internal fixation of a fracture of the distal part of the radius is uncertain. We evaluated a series of patients with an internally stabilised fracture of the distal part of the radius to test whether there is any difference in wrist motion or function scores between those with an untreated fracture of the ulnar styloid process and those with no ulnar fracture.
Materials & Methods: The present study was a prospective comparative study conducted between April 2015 to November 2015. Total 60 patients have been operated with open reduction and internal fixation with plating. 52 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were taken up for study and grouped into two groups at 1:1 ratio. The average follow up period was 6 months. Patients were followed up in the outpatient department on 10th post operative day for suture removal, and further at 4 weeks,8 weeks,12 weeks, 16 weeks, 20 weeks, 12 months postoperatively and were analysed with wrist ROM, DASH score, Gartland and Werley system and visual analogue score.
Results: In the present study 52 cases are included, GROUP A-26, GROUP B-26, GROUP A: distal radius fractures without ulnar styloid fracture, GROUP B: distal radius fractures with ulnar styloid fracture. The two groups were comparable with regard to age, gender, side of the fracture, type of the fracture and nature of injury.
All patients were operated under general anaesthesia. We found out that the variables compared between patients with ulnar styloid fractures and without ulnar styloid fractures like Wrist range of movements, DASH Score, Gartland and Werley System score and visual analogue scale differences were statistically insignificant. One patient had a superficial infection which subsided with antibiotic therapy and three patients had malunion which did not affect the final functional outcome.
Conclusion: An unrepaired fracture of the ulnar styloid process does not appear to influence functional outcome after treatment of a distal radial fracture with plate-and-screw fixation.
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