[Incidence of distal ulna fractures associated with distal radius fractures: Treatment options].

Fractures of the neck and/or head of the ulna or distal ulna fracture (DUF) other than ulnar styloid fractures can occur in combination with distal radius fractures (DRF). This combination can have a significant influence on the treatment and prognosis since it causes the entire distal forearm to be unstable. In a series of 1279 consecutive unilateral DRFs, we found an associated ulnar neck fracture in 5.9% of cases, ulnar head and neck fracture in 1.6%, and isolated ulnar head fracture in 1.4%. Overall, 9% of cases in this study had a DUF with a DRF. The frequency of extra-articular "A" (11%) and intra-articular "C" (9%) DRFs according to the AO classification was about the same. There were no cases of DUF combined with partial "B" DRF. There was a correlation between combined DUF with DRF and the patient's group in the PAF classification. DUF are more frequently associated with DRF in elderly patients. Specific distal ulnar locking plates were recently introduced and they may be a useful adjunct to distal radius locking plates when treating patients with combined DUF and DRF.