No one is immune from injuries (bruises, dislocations and fractures). They happen as a result of strong overloads, falls, shocks. Today we will consider in detail the types and signs of fractures of the ulna. Let's just say that such an injury does not happen too often. But an ulna fracture requires special attention as it can impair arm mobility.
What is a fracture?
A fracture is a violation of the integrity of the bone tissue of a part of the skeleton as a result of mechanical action, when the load on the bone exceeds its strength. It can be complete or partial, with or without displacement of bone processes. Sometimes they say that there is no fracture, just a crack. But this is a mistake! A fissure is an incomplete fracture of a bone, since its integrity is still broken.
Fractures are traumatic or pathological. Traumatic injuries occur as a result of external influences, and pathological injuries occur as a result of the influence of painful deviations, for example, as a result of tuberculosis or a tumor.
The structure of the ulna
The ulna and radius are articulated and form the forearm. The bones run parallel. The body of the ulna is slightly longer. In addition, it has two ends with protruding processes: the ulna and coronoid (above) and the styloid (below). The processes are separated by a trochlear notch, to which the block of the bone of the shoulder adjoins. The olecranon of the ulna is a protruding place for the attachment of the triceps and ulnar muscles. The coronoid process provides articulation of the ulna and radius bones. The styloid protrudes at the bottom of the bone and is easily palpable above the wrist. These tubular bones are located between two joints:
- top - elbow;
- bottom - wrist.
The ulna and radius are articulated in such a way that they provide pronation and supination of the forearm. Pronation is the ability to turn the forearm inward with the palm facing down. Supination - outward rotation when the palm is turned up.
The structure of the ulna is very complex. Trauma (fracture) can occur in any part.
Types of fractures of the ulna
The ulna is most often damaged in athletes, children and the elderly. The reasons are banal. Athletes subject the bones to severe overload, children are overly mobile, and their bones are not fully formed. Well, the old people are weakening due to age characteristics. Their bones more acutely feel the lack of calcium and become more fragile. Although calcium deficiency increases the risk of injury in all categories of people.
In medicine, several types of ulna fractures have been identified:
- Injury to the olecranon. Usually the cause of such a fracture is trauma. This can be a fall on the elbow or a direct blow. The fracture may be oblique or transverse. Depending on the condition of the muscles, different degrees of displacement of the process can be observed.
- Fracture of Malgenya. With such an injury, a process fracture and dislocation of the bones of the forearm occur. The hand takes a bent position, the palm is turned forward. The joint is enlarged and deformed. In addition to a traumatologist, a neurosurgeon or a pediatric neuropathologist should be invited (in case the child was injured).
- Injury in which dislocation of the head of the beam occurs. Another name is the Monteggia fracture. May be open or closed. The mobility of the joint is significantly limited. The forearm looks short on the injured side. In difficult cases, surgery is necessary. The ulna with a Monteggia fracture can be damaged in two types - flexion or extensor. The fixation option depends on the type of damage.
- Fractured elbow. One of the most common injuries. Movement in the joint is severely limited. Pain extends to the shoulder and forearm. There is swelling and bruising.
- Fracture of the diaphysis. The diaphysis is the central part of the tubular bones. Debris displacement is rare. This is prevented by an intact radius. Hand deformity observed.
General symptoms
The ulna, when damaged (fractured), looks somewhat deformed. The soft tissues around are swollen, movements are difficult and are accompanied by pain.sensations. The symptoms of a fracture can vary depending on the type of injury.
Fracture diagnosis
In case of a fall, impact or a sharp jerk that caused severe pain, it is necessary to see a traumatologist as quickly as possible. A fracture of the ulna can have serious consequences. To prevent this from happening, it is important to get timely help.
Traumatologist conducts a visual examination of the injured limb and prescribes an x-ray. The doctor determines the type of fracture from the x-ray. In addition, he can consider whether the ulna is displaced at the site of injury. It depends on the treatment option for the fracture. In difficult cases, the victim will need surgery.
Treatment
Diagnosis by a traumatologist reveals the complexity of the problem. If the fracture of the ulna or the bone of the elbow joint is not complicated by displacement, then a plaster cast is applied to the patient and a supporting bandage-kerchief is recommended. A week after the plaster is applied, a control x-ray is prescribed to make sure that no displacement has occurred. The cast will be removed after 3 weeks at the earliest.
In case of displacement of bone fragments, the patient undergoes surgery. This may be a resection of the proximal fragment or the installation of a plate with screws to fix the injured bones. A plaster splint is used to immobilize the limb after surgery.
To restore mobility after a fracture, massages, physiotherapy and special exercises are prescribed.
