Treatment of isolated ulnar nonunions using wave plate osteosynthesis: a report of four cases

With current operative techniques, it is rare that treatment of diaphyseal forearm fractures results in nonunion. Because the rate of nonunion is low, there are only a few published articles that help guide management of forearm nonunions. We describe a new application of wave plate osteosynthesis in the treatment of isolated atrophic nonunions of the ulna. This biologic plating concept restores anatomic alignment without standard rigid fixation and aims to take advantage of the vascularity of the surrounding soft tissues to achieve union by secondary healing. This technique can be most useful in nonunions secondary to segmental bone defects or to large areas of nonviable bone.