Clinical and functional outcomes of ulnar shaft fracture fixation using locking plates at Military Central Hospital 108

Objective: This study aims to describe the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of patients with ulnar shaft fractures and evaluate the outcomes of locked plating as a surgical treatment at Military Central Hospital 108. Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 39 patients who underwent locked plating for ulnar shaft fractures from January 2019 to July 2023. Clinical, radiographic, and functional recovery outcomes were assessed using Leung et al.’s classification for radiographic evaluation, Anderson et al.’s criteria for elbow range of motion, and the QuickDASH questionnaire for functional assessment. Results: The mean age of patients was 35.7 ± 11.28 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. Traffic accidents were the leading cause of injury (46.1%). Fractures were classified according to the AO/OTA system, with type B being the most common (64.1%). Postoperative radiographic outcomes were rated as excellent in 64.1% of cases and good in 35.9%. Functional recovery assessment showed that 61.5% of patients achieved excellent results, while 38.5% had satisfactory outcomes. The mean QuickDASH score was 18.2 ± 7.8, and the mean pain score (VAS) was 2.3 ± 1.1. No cases of infection, nonunion, or implant failure were recorded. Conclusion: Locked plating is an effective surgical method for treating ulnar shaft fractures, providing high rates of anatomical and functional recovery. These findings support the use of locked plates as a preferred treatment for displaced ulnar shaft fractures, allowing early rehabilitation and improved patient outcomes.