The isolated fracture of the ulnar shaft is notorious for prolonged healing time. Over a 27-month period, 71 such fractures were treated at our institution. The initial 12 fractures were immobilized with the standard axilla-to-palm plaster cast. They had an average healing time of 10.5 weeks and a non-union rate of 8 per cent. The remaining 59 fractures were treated without a cast or with a cast or splint for no longer than 2 weeks after injury and then mobilization as tolerated. In this group the average healing time was 6.7 weeks and there were no non-unions. The motion at the wrist and elbow was always regained, and the average loss of forearm rotation was 5 degrees.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
The isolated fracture of the ulnar shaft is notorious for prolonged healing time. Over a 27-month period, 71 such fractures were treated at our institution. The initial 12 fractures were immobilized with the standard axilla-to-palm plaster cast. They had an average healing time of 10.5 weeks and a non-union rate of 8 per cent. The remaining 59 fractures were treated without a cast or with a cast or splint for no longer than 2 weeks after injury and then mobilization as tolerated. In this group the average healing time was 6.7 weeks and there were no non-unions. The motion at the wrist and elbow was always regained, and the average loss of forearm rotation was 5 degrees.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.