Elastic stable intramedullary nails compared to locking compression plates for treating unstable distal ulnar fractures in adults: a prospective comparative study

Background and purpose Distal ulna fractures often occur in conjunction with distal radius fractures and other associated injuries. Currently, there are no satisfactory internal fixation systems available for addressing unstable distal ulna fractures, and a definitive consensus on the most effective treatment approach is still lacking. The objective of this research was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of using elastic stable intramedullary nails (ESIN) compared to locking compression plates (LCP) for treating unstable distal ulnar fractures in adults. Methods In a prospective clinical study, a total of 54 patients (21 females and 33 males; average age 49.3 years, ranging from 30 to 63 years) suffering from unstable or displaced fractures of the distal ulna were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups between January 2021 and August 2024. Specifically, 26 patients underwent treatment utilizing elastic stable intramedullary nails, whereas 28 patients were managed using locking compression plates. The two groups were evaluated prospectively for perioperative data and functional results. Results The ESIN group comprised 26 patients, exhibiting a mean age of 48.27 years (with a range of 30 to 62 years), while the LCP group included 28 patients, whose mean age was 50.33 years (ranging from 32 to 63 years). Both groups were comparable regarding gender distribution, side of injury, mechanisms of injury, and classifications of fractures. However, there were significant differences noted in incision length of the ulna, surgical duration, frequency of fluoroscopy, and the rates of excellent and good functional outcomes as measured by the Gartland-Werley scores between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conversely, no significant differences were found concerning the time to union and the duration of immobilization between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion ESIN offers several advantages, including reduced incision length, lower frequency of fluoroscopy, shorter duration of the surgical procedure, decreased complication rates, and improved Gartland-Werly scores. Therefore, fixation using ESIN serves as an effective alternative for the treatment of distal ulnar fractures in adults. The minimally invasive nature and lower complication rates are defining characteristics of ESIN fixation.