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Ulnar fractures are breaks in the forearm bone caused by direct impact and can be stabilized with a splint or cast. More complex fractures require surgery, and Monteggia fractures involve breaking the joint with the radius and require longer healing time.
An ulnar fracture is a break in the ulna, one of the bones in the forearm. This type of fracture can be seen in people of all ages and is typically caused by a direct impact on the ulna, such as that might be sustained in a fall or physical fight. The symptoms of are very distinctive: the patient usually experiences extreme pain and limited range of motion, and in the case of an open fracture, pieces of the broken bone protrude through the skin.
The other bone in the forearm is the radius. Together, the radius and ulna extend from the elbow to the wrist, and both bones are critical to arm function. Autonomic fractures of both bones are usually caused by impacts, while twisting the forearm or bending the arm out of its normal range of motion will cause a fracture of both forearm bones involving the radius and ulna. This type of fracture often takes the form of a spiral fracture and almost always requires surgery.
If an ulnar fracture is relatively simple, it can be stabilized with a splint or cast and allowed to heal. During the healing process, a patient’s range of motion may be limited and some lifestyle changes may need to be made to protect the fractured bone as it heals. For example, a patient in a cast usually cannot play contact sports. Complications can include infection, improper healing, or non-union, where the bone simply doesn’t heal, despite being given time to do so.
More complex fractures require surgical stabilization. This is accomplished by placing the patient under general anesthesia and using a series of pins and plates to fix the bone in place. After surgery, the arm is put in a cast to keep it immobilized while it heals. Once the ulnar fracture heals, the pins can be removed or left in place, depending on the situation and patient preference. Complications of surgical stabilization can include nonunions, adverse reactions to anesthesia, and infections.
In a unique type of ulnar fracture known as a Monteggia fracture, the fracture of the ulna also involves breaking the joint with the radius. This type of fracture most commonly occurs when the elbow receives a strong impact, such as when someone breaks a fall with their elbow joint. Monteggia fractures usually require surgery to stabilize the fracture and repair the joint and can have a longer and more complex healing time, depending on the severity of the break.
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