Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38975534›Full record

ArticleCureus2024

Intramedullary Threaded Nail Fixation of Distal Ulnar Fractures: The Surgical Technique and Case Series.

Alexander D Jeffs, Andrew D Allen, Bradley J Lauck, Nathaniel C Adams, Reid W Draeger

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Alexander D JeffsDepartment of Orthopaedics, Chapel Hill School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.
Andrew D AllenDepartment of Orthopaedics, Chapel Hill School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.
Bradley J LauckDepartment of Orthopaedics, Chapel Hill School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.
Nathaniel C AdamsDepartment of Orthopaedics, Chapel Hill School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.
Reid W DraegerDepartment of Orthopaedics, Chapel Hill School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

background

methodsAt a single Level 1 Trauma Center, a retrospective review was conducted for patients with distal ulnar neck fractures treated with retrograde IMTN between 2022 and 2024. Exclusion criteria included inadequate follow-up. A single surgeon performed all procedures using percutaneous retrograde IMTN fixation through the central disc of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). Patients initiated a range of motion (ROM) protocol two weeks post-operatively. Post-operative radiographic images were used to calculate the ratio of IMTN diameter to the distal ulnar medullary isthmus diameter proximal to the fracture site. Radiographic changes in displacement, angulation, and ulnar variance were calculated between the first and last follow-up radiographs. Functional outcomes including grip strength and ROM were collected.

resultsFour patients with distal ulnar neck fractures were treated with retrograde IMTN between 2022 and 2024. They were followed for a minimum of three months post-operatively. All were female with an average age of 65 years. All distal ulna fractures were associated with operatively treated intraarticular distal radius fractures. All patients were treated with 75 mm length and 4.5 mm diameter IMTNs. IMTN-to-Isthmus ratio was greater than 60% in all cases. Average radiographic displacement and angulation were unchanged at the final follow-up. The average ulnar variance increased by 1.2 mm. At the final follow-up, there were no post-operative complications. No cases demonstrated ulnar-sided wrist pain, nonunion, or required revision surgery.

conclusionsRetrograde IMTN fixation is a novel surgical technique for the treatment of distal ulnar neck fractures. We found limited but promising post-operative radiographic and functional outcomes in our patients without reported ulnar-sided wrist pain, nonunion, or need for hardware removal.

Indexed as

distal ulna fractureintramedullary threaded nailorthopedic hand surgeryoutcomessurgical technique

Identifiers

PMID38975534
PMCPMC11225963

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