Isolated ulnar shaft fractures treated with functional braces
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Published on: May 23, 2025
A Sarmiento1, L L Latta, G Zych
1Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Miami, Florida, USA.
Objective:
To report the results from functional bracing of isolated ulnar shaft fractures.
Design:
Retrospective review.
Setting:
Two university hospitals.
Patients:
Isolated ulnar shaft fractures in 444 patients were stabilized in functional braces that permitted full range of motion of all joints.
Intervention:
Prefabricated braces that extended from below the elbow to above the wrist were applied within the first week after the initial injury.
Outcome Measures:
Union of the fracture, fracture angulation, and final range of motion of the forearm were evaluated.
Results:
Two hundred eighty-seven patients were available for follow-up (65 percent). Union took place in 99 percent of the fractures. Shortening of the ulna averaged 1.1 millimeters (range 0 to 10 millimeters). Final radial angulation averaged 5 degrees (range 0 to 18 degrees). Dorsal angulation averaged 5 degrees (range 0 to 20 degrees). Average loss of pronation was greatest in fractures of the proximal third of the ulna, averaging 12 degrees. Fractures in the distal third averaged a loss of 5 degrees of pronation.
Conclusions:
Functional bracing is a viable therapeutic alternative in the management of isolated ulnar shaft fractures. It is associated with a 99 percent union rate and good to excellent functional results in more than 96 percent of patients.
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