Ulnar nerve palsy subsequent to a fracture of the distal radius is extremely rare compared to a median nerve injury. The lesion tends to occur in younger patents with a high-energy mechanism of injury and a severe injury pattern consisting of wide displacement, comminution, combined distal ulnar fracture and open fracture. The mechanism of injury can contribute to a direct contusion and traction, compression secondary to prolonged edema and tissue fibrosis, intraneural fibrosis and laceration. We report 2 cases of progressive ulnar nerve palsy subsequent to closed fractures of the distal radius. The neurological symptoms recovered in all cases who underwent nerve decompression and neurolysis at 2 or 3 months after the trauma. It is recommended that cases with high-energy, widely displaced or comminuted fractures of the distal radius be evaluated carefully for ulnar nerve as well as median nerve injury.
Adult ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Closed/*complications/surgery ; Fractures, Comminuted/*complications/surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Radius Fractures/*complications/surgery ; Ulnar Neuropathies/*etiology/surgery ; Young Adult

Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Radius Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of distal radius core decompression in the treatment of chronic wrist pain caused by various etiologies. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 10 patients with chronic wrist pain treated with distal radial core decompression between January 2018 and December 2021. There were 6 males and 4 females with an average age of 37.4 years (range, 21-55 years). The disease duration ranged from 7 to 72 months, with an average of 26.5 months. Preoperative MRI examination showed that 10 cases had bone marrow edema at the distal radius on the affected side, and 8 cases had bone marrow edema in the carpal bones such as scaphoid and lunate bone. Among them, 3 patients had a history of wrist fracture, and 2 patients had Kienböck diseases (1 case each in stage ⅡB and stage ⅢA). Three cases were combined with triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) type 1A injury. Two cases were combined with osteoarthritis, 1 of them was complicated with severe traumatic arthritis, the wrist arthroscopy showed that the TFCC was completely lost and could not be repaired, and the cartilage of the lunate bone and the ulnar head were severely worn.Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the relief of wrist pain before operation, at 6 months after operation, and at last follow-up, and the range of motion of the affected wrist in dorsiflexion, palmar flexion, ulnar deviation, and radial deviation was measured. The degree of bone marrow edema was evaluated according to T1WI, T2WI, and STIR sequences of MRI. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up 12-22 months, with an average of 16.4 months. Except for 1 patient who experienced persistent wrist joint pain and limited mobility after operation, the remaining 9 patients showed significant improvement in pain symptoms and wrist joint mobility. The VAS score and range of motion of wrist dorsiflexion, palmar flexion, ulnar deviation, and radial deviation at 6 months after operation and at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with those before operation, the VAS score and the range of motion of wrist ulnar deviation and radial deviation at last follow-up were further improved when compared with those at 6 months after operation, all showing significant differences ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in wrist dorsiflexion and palmar flexion between at 6 months after operation and at last follow-up ( P>0.05). Bone marrow edema was improved in 6 patients on MRI at 6 months after operation, and was also improved in other patients at last follow-up. CONCLUSION For chronic wrist pain caused by a variety of causes, distal radius core decompression can directly reduce the pressure of the medullary cavity of the distal radius, improve the blood supply of the corresponding distal structure, significantly alleviate chronic wrist pain, and provide an option for clinical treatment.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Radius/surgery* ; Wrist ; Retrospective Studies ; Radius Fractures/surgery* ; Wrist Joint/surgery* ; Scaphoid Bone/surgery* ; Pain ; Arthralgia/complications* ; Arthroscopy ; Decompression ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical outcome of surgical treatment of the posterior dislocation of the elbow with coroniod and radial head fractures.

METHODSFrom January 2004 to March 2009, 9 patients with terrible triad of the elbow were reviewed. There were 7 males and 2 females (4 left elbows and 5 right elbows), with an average age of 41.2 years, ranged from 21 to 67 years. The radial head fractures were classified according to the Schatzker-Tile criteria: 4 patients had the fractures of type I, 3 patients had type II and 2 patients had type III. The ulnar coronoid fractures were classified according to the Regan-Morrey criteria: 2 patients had the fractures of type I, 5 patients had type II and 2 patients had type III. The general approach was used to repair the damaged structures sequentially from deep to superficial, through coronoid, anterior capsule, radial head, and lateral ligament complex to common extensor origin. If there was valgus instability in the elbow after the operation, the medial collateral ligament should be repaired with nonabsorption sutures. The plaster was applied for 7 to 10 days with elbow flexion in 90 degrees and the forearm in full pronation. Unrestricted motions and rehabilitation began at the 8th week after operation. Recovery of regular occupation depended on the degree of physical activity required, and it typically took 3 months for heavy physical laborers to return to work.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 6 months to 5 years, with a mean duration of (31 +/- 6) months. At the 3rd month after operation, the mean rang of motion in flexion and extension of the elbow was (102 +/- 3) degrees (ranged from 80 degrees to 110 degrees), and the mean range of motion in pronation and supination of the forearm was (135 +/- 6) degrees (100 degrees to 150 degrees). According to the criteria of the Mayo scoreing system, the results were excellent in 5 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case. Three patients had heterotopic ossification at the 6th month after operation. Among them, 2 patients had no effects on elbow function and were not treated, 1 patient had effects on flexion-extension of the elbow and was treated with resection of heterotopic ossification through lateral approach combined with early rehabilitation, the MEP score of the patient improved from fair to good.

CONCLUSIONThe key points for treating the terrible triad of the elbow are to restore the elbow normal anatomy and early rehabilitation to avoid the elbow stiff.

Adult ; Aged ; Elbow Joint ; injuries ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; complications ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures ; complications ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Ulna Fractures ; complications ; physiopathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo summarize our experiences in the treatment of type C3 (AO/OTA) distal radius fractures fixed with AO 2.4 mm locking plates combined with percutaneous pinning after manipulative reduction.

METHODSFrom May 2009 to March 2012, 19 patients (2 cases of both sides) with type C3 (AO/OTA) distal radius fractures were treated with volar locking plates combined with percutaneous pinning for distal radius after manipulative reduction. Among the patients, the average age was (45.3 ± 17.4) years old (ranged, 31 to 66 years old). The fracture were complicated with ulnar styloid fracture in 14 wrists and 6 wrists had distal radioulnar joint instability. All the patients had closed fracture and the mean duration was (6.7 ± 3.5) days (4.5 to 9 days). The Henry approach was applied to expose the fracture site. Joint capsule and ligaments were retained for indirect reduction. After indirect reduction, the poking reduction technique was used to correct the residual compression, and congruence of distal ulnar radial joint was verified under fluorscopic guidance. Styloid process was first pinned percutaneously and then AO 2.4 mm volar locking plate was used to support rigid fixation. The fractures complicated with distal radioulnar joint instability and ulnar styloid fracture were treated with forearm plaster support in supination for 6 weeks.

RESULTSNineteen patients (21 wrists) were followed up for an average duration of 10.5 months (ranged, 7 to 17 months). Radiographic bone union of distal radius was achieved in all cases, nonunion of the ulnar styloid occurred in 3 cases, and no distal radioulnar joint instability occurred. Tendon irritation was found in 2 cases and disappeared after the internal fixation was removed. The volar tilt, radial angle, radial length, incongruence of articular surface and distal radioulnar joint were observed at the follow-up. According to Batra and Gupta scoring system, 13 wrists were assessed to have a score of more than 80, 5 wrists 70 to 90, 3 wrists less than 70. Meanwhile, the subjective and objective evaluation was executed,range of motion of wrist, residual deformity and complications were observed. According to Sarmiento's modification of the system of Gartland and Werley, 17 wrists got an excellent result, 3 good and 1 fair.

CONCLUSIONType C3 (AO/OTA) distal radius fractures could be managed with manipulative reduction. Locking plate internal fixation combined with percutaneous pinning can offer enough support for early mobilization and rehabilitation, resulting in a better clinical outcome and satisfactory prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures ; complications ; surgery

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between the distal screws and the wrist articular surface was assessed by the additional lateral oblique fluoroscopic view during the operation, and the dorsal tangential view of the wrist was used to observe whether the distal screw penetrated the dorsal cortex, so as to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the volar locking plate in the treatment of distal radius fractures. METHODS: From January 2020 to June 2021, 45 cases of fresh distal radius fractures were treated using the volar Henry's approach, including 20 males and 25 females, aged from 32 to 75 years old with an average of (52.4±8.1) years old. During the operation, they were divided into 2 groups according to the different intraoperative fluoroscopic views:the control group of 20 cases, treated with standard anteroposterior and lateral fluoroscopic view;25 cases in the observation group, additional lateral oblique fluoroscopic view and dorsal tangential view of the wrist were taken. The wrist joint function score and postoperative complications were evaluated at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months after operation between two groups. RESULTS: All 45 patients were followed up and the duration ranged from 6 to 14 months, with an average of (10.8±1.7) months, all patients achieved bone union and the incision healed well. The incidence of postoperative complications in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In terms of Gartland-Werley score of wrist joint function, the score of wrist function in the observation group was (4.58±1.31) at 6 weeks, (2.98±0.63) at 3 months and (1.95±0.65) at 6 months post-operatively, which were better than those in the control group (6.32±1.96) at 6 weeks, (3.63±0.76) at 3 months and (2.43±0.73) at 6 months. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In the observation group, 7/25 cases(28%) were found to have screw penetration during the operation by additional lateral oblique and dorsal tangential radiograph fluoroscopic views of wrist. CONCLUSION The addition of lateral oblique and dorsal tangential during the operation could improve the accuracy of distal screw placement, reduce postoperative complications, and achieve early functional exercise.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Wrist Fractures ; Radius Fractures/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Fluoroscopy/methods* ; Bone Plates ; Postoperative Complications

OBJECTIVETo introduce a new way of treatment for elbow stiffness and instability.

METHODS30 cases of elbow trauma were treated with mobile hinged Orthofix elbow fixator, 26 of them were followed up. There are 15 male patients and 11 female patients. The average age is 32.6 years old. The 26 injured elbows involved 12 cases on left side and 14 cases on right side; Sixteen cases on the dominant side and 10 cases on the non-dominant side. Sixteen cases had elbow stiffness, 5 cases had acute radial head fracture and posterior dislocation of the elbow, 3 of cases had Monteggia's fracture dislocation, and 2 cases had neglected posterior dislocation of the elbow.

RESULTSThe average follow up time was 6 months (3 - 12 month). The mean time of fixation with fixator was 8.5 weeks (6 - 11 weeks). The mean ROM of the 16 cases of elbow stiffness was (37.5 +/- 0.8) degrees before operation, and (96.5 +/- 0.6) degrees operation, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). The mean Mayo elbow score was (69.5 +/- 1.7) before operation, compared with (82.8 +/- 1.6) after operation, with a significant difference (< 0.05). For the other 10 cases (5 cases with acute radial head fracture and posterior dislocation of the elbow, 3 cases with Monteggia's fracture dislocation, 2 cases with neglected posterior dislocation of the elbow), the average ROM of the elbow flexion-extension was 95 degrees (65 degrees - 150 degrees ); The average range of flexion was 117 degrees; the average loss of extension was 22 degrees; the average pronation was 76 degrees (20 degrees - 90 degrees ), the average supination was 75 degrees (15 degrees - 90 degrees ). Nine of the cases achieved anatomic reduction and proved by X-ray. The mean Mayo elbow score was 84 (49 - 96). Three cases were rated excellent, 4 good, 2 fair and 1 poor. The rate of excellent and good was 70% (7/10). Nine cases had no pain or mild pain, and did not need analgesic. Eight cases returned to their former work, 5 of the cases had complications.

CONCLUSIONSThe mobile hinged elbow external fixator have following advantages: (1) distraction of the articular space and enhance fracture healing; (2) allow early movement of the elbow during healing; (3) provide stable environment for the healing after arthrolysis and reconstruction. Mobile hinged elbow external fixator can achieve successful result in the treatment of elbow stiffness or unstable fracture dislocation of elbow.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Elbow Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; External Fixators ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation ; methods ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; complications ; surgery ; Joint Instability ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monteggia's Fracture ; complications ; surgery ; Radius Fractures ; complications ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of open reduction by palm side for the distal radius fracture and T shape plate internal fixation with simultaneous anterior transverse carpal ligament resection for the prevention of delayed carpal tunnel syndrome after operation.

METHODSFrom March 2000 to March 2007, 32 patients (8 males and 24 females, ranging in age from 46 to 66 years) with distal radius fracture were treated with open reduction by palm side and T shape plate internal fixation with simultaneous anterior transverse carpal ligament resection; while 30 patients (7 males and 23 females,ranging in age from 45 to 65 years) only with open reduction by palm side and T shape plate internal fixation. The incidences of delayed carpal tunnel syndrome between the two groups were compared.

RESULTSAmong 32 patients treated with open reduction by palm side and T shape plate internal fixation with anterior transverse carpal ligament resection, 3 patients had delayed carpal tunnel syndrome; while in 30 patients treated with open reduction by palm side and T shape plate internal fixation, 10 patients had delayed carpal tunnel syndrome. There was significant statistically difference (P < 0.05%).

CONCLUSIONSimultaneous anterior transverse carpal ligament resection can effectively prevent the delayed carpal tunnel syndrome occurrence for the distal radius fracture with open reduction by palm side.

Aged ; Carpal Bones ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Ligaments, Articular ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures ; complications ; surgery

Radial head excision has always been a safe commonly used surgical procedure with a satisfactory clinical outcome for isolated comminuted radial head fractures. However, diagnosis of elbow instability is still very challenging and often underestimated in routine orthopaedic evaluation. We present the case of a 21-years old female treated with excision after radial head fracture, resulting in elbow instability. The patient underwent revision surgery after four weeks. We believe that ligament reconstruction without radial head substitution is a safe alternative choice for Mason III radial head fractures accompanied by complex ligament lesions.
Adult ; Elbow Joint ; injuries ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; therapy ; Lateral Ligament, Ankle ; surgery ; Radius Fractures ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Palmar plate fixation is becoming a well recognized treatment for distal radial fracture. Tendon ruptures or irritations have been reported after this procedure. Inadvertent retention of angled drill guides useful for easy placement of locking screws in proper direction in volar plating can represent a high risk of secondary tendon rupture. In this case, we presented our experience in one patient in whom drill guides removal could be delayed for one year and summarized our techniques to prevent the aforementioned complications.
Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Palmar Plate ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Radius Fractures ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures