Significance of ulnar styloid fractures in childhood

Abstract

Ulnar styloid fractures make up a common component of wrist fractures. In children, fractures of the distal radius often can be subtle. Our retrospective study of 222 children with wrist fractures showed that ulnar styloid fractures seldom occur as isolated injuries. Therefore, they serve as an extremely useful signal for the presence of an associated radial fracture. It was noted that some ulnar styloid fractures remain ununited, giving the appearance of a secondary ossification center of the ulnar styloid process.