Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery
Complications following operative versus nonoperatively managed isolated distal third ulna shaft fractures: a retrospective single-institution cohort study
By Schultz K, Wang JE, Manley B and 1 others.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to compare radiographic and clinical outcomes of operatively versus nonoperatively managed isolated distal third ulna fractures.
Methods
This is a retrospective cohort study. Operatively and nonoperatively managed isolated distal third ulna shaft fractures on forearm radiographs in adult patients with a minimum of six-week follow-up were identified at an academic level 1 trauma center over seven years from 2017 to 2024. Outcomes included rates of radiographic evidence of union, pain scores, nonunion, tendinopathies, removal of hardware, or heterotopic ossification at final follow-up. Outcomes were compared between cases managed operatively and those managed nonoperatively.
