Abstract

In paediatric patients with fractures of the distal radius, the consequences of associated ulnar styloid fractures are often underestimated. These may include persisting pain or functional deficits. The aim of the present study was to report the outcome of these fractures using a modified DASH-Score. All children with distal radius fractures treated in a two years period were analysed ; only patients with a concomitant fracture of the ulnar styloid were included in the study. In addition, children with a non-union of the styloid at cast removal were asked to complete a postal questionnaire ; the data were compared to those in a group of patients with isolated distal radius fractures. Patients reporting problems and those with a modified DASH score over 0.5 were invited for a long-term follow-up clinical and radiological examination. A concomitant fracture of the ulnar styloid was present in 11% of all distal radius fractures. At the time of cast removal 46 patients (89%) showed a delayed union of the ulnar styloid. The modified DASH Score of these patients at an average of 31 months (range : 24-40 months) was significantly worse (3.8 ; range : 0-24.2) compared to 0.7 (range 0-27.7) in the patients with isolated radius fractures after a mean of 27 months (range : 21-42 months). At follow-up, 7 patients showed a non-union of the ulnar styloid. Fractures of the base of the styloid process were more likely to develop non-union compared to fractures of its tip. The presence of an ulnar styloid fracture negatively influences the outcome of distal radius fractures. Patients with lesions of the ulnar styloid should be followed until union is observed and/or they are asymptomatic.