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Concurrent ulnar head and Colles fractures

Case contributed by Daniel J Bell
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Mechanical fall onto left side. Concurrent neck of left femur fracture also.

Patient Data

Age: 85 years
Gender: Female

Comminuted fractures of the distal radius with dorsal angulation of the fragments (i.e. a Colles fracture). Acute fracture through the head of the ulna. 

OA of the STT articulation.

Incidental note of a short fifth metacarpal. Unfortunately no previous imaging available.

Diffuse osteopenia.

Case Discussion

Fractures through the distal ulna (other than of the base of the ulnar styloid) are relatively uncommon. In a study published in 2013, only 11 patients of 512 consecutive cases of distal radius fracture sustained a simultaneous distal ulna fracture (~2% cases) 1

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