Complications following operative versus nonoperatively managed isolated distal third ulna shaft fractures: a retrospective single-institution cohort study - Takeaways - MDSpire
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Outcomes of Surgical versus Conservative Treatment for Isolated Distal Third Ulna Shaft Fractures: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis from a Single Institution

  • By

  • Kathryn Schultz

  • Joyce En-Hua Wang

  • Brock Manley

  • Kacy Peek

  • September 23, 2026

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  • 1

    The annual incidence of distal ulna fractures is 74 cases per 100,000, with over 90% occurring alongside radius fractures.

  • 2

    Distal-third ulnar shaft fractures have a lower nonunion risk compared to midshaft fractures when managed nonoperatively.

  • 3

    This study compares healing and complication rates between operatively and nonoperatively treated patients with isolated distal third ulnar shaft fractures.

  • 4

    Among 56 patients, 78.6% were managed nonoperatively, with a mean follow-up of 30.5 weeks across all patients.

  • 5

    Motor vehicle collisions were the most common injury mechanism, accounting for 42.9% of the cases in the study cohort.

Original Source(s)

Complications following operative versus nonoperatively managed isolated distal third ulna shaft fractures: a retrospective single-institution cohort study

  • by Kathryn Schultz, Joyce En-Hua Wang, Brock Manley, Kacy Peek

  • September 23, 2026

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