What is a nightstick fracture?
An isolated fracture of the ulnar shaft is defined as a nightstick fracture. The injury derives its name from the idea that a suspect struck with a police nightstick would hold his forearm above his face in a defensive posture when struck with a police baton, resulting in a fracture to the ulna.
What are the typical fractures of the radius?
Distal radius fractures are one of the most common types of bone fractures. They occur at the end of the radius bone near the wrist. Depending on the angle of the break, distal radius fractures can be classified into two types: Colles or Smith. Falls are the main cause of distal radius fractures.
How long does it take a proximal radius fracture to heal?
It usually takes approximately 6 weeks for the fracture to fully heal. During this time, do not stress the joint with heavy lifting or heavy weight-bearing. It will not cause any further damage if you continue to use your elbow normally for everyday activities.
How long does it take for a nightstick fracture to heal?
With long arm cast immobilization, the average fracture healing time was 10.5 weeks, with a nonunion rate of 8%. Patients treated with minimal or no immobilization healed in an average of 6.7 weeks, with no non-unions. Minimal loss of forearm and wrist motion was observed in the majority of cases.
Why is it called a nightstick fracture?
The typical ulna fracture occurs as a result of an object impacting the forearm. The common term for an isolated ulna fracture is “nightstick” because it occurs as a result of a direct blow with a blunt object.
How painful is a distal radius fracture?
Immediate sharp pain after the accident takes place. Sometimes the fracture may be accompanied by the sound or the sensation of a bone breaking. You may experience abnormal swelling and tenderness in the wrist immediately that only worsens. A numbness that doesn’t allow you to move your fingers or hand.
What are the three eponymous classifications of a distal radius fracture?
This article will name and focus on the three most common eponymous distal radius fracture types, the Colles’ fracture, the Smith’s fracture, and the Barton’s fracture. The Colles’ fractures are the most common type of wrist fracture, accounting for 90% of all distal radius fractures.
Does a proximal radius fracture need a cast?
If the bone cannot be held in a good position with a reduction, then surgery will likely be recommended. If your child does not need surgery, we often put the injured arm in a cast. In order to leave room for swelling, your child will probably start with a bivalved (split) cast on their arm.
Does radial head fracture cause wrist pain?
Pain will often be felt in the forearm and elbow. In some circumstances, damage to the distal radioulnar joint can occur, resulting in wrist discomfort. There are three grades of radial head fractures. Grade I: displaced.
How do you treat a hairline fracture of the radius?
You likely won’t need a cast, but the doctor may recommend that you wear a brace to keep your arm immobile. You should also rest your arm and use ice to control the pain. The doctor may recommend taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.
What happens when you break your radius?
When you have a distal radius fracture, you will almost always have a history of a fall or some other kind of trauma. You will usually have pain and swelling in the forearm or wrist. You may have a deformity in the shape of the wrist if the fracture is bad enough.
Where is the nightstick fracture in the ulna?
Nightstick fractures are isolated fractures of the ulna, typically transverse and located in the mid-diaphysis and usually resulting from a direct blow. It is a characteristic defensive fracture when the patient tries to ward off an overhead blow from an assailant (or local law enforcement officer) branding a bar-like weapon.
What is the definition of a nightstick fracture?
A nightstick fracture is an isolated fracture of the ulnar shaft (IUSF) associated with a direct blow usually as a re- sult of the forearm being held in protection across the face (1). It can also occur with excessive supination or prona- tion.
What to do with a displaced nightstick fracture?
Displaced nightstick fractures should be treated with open reduction and internal fixation using a 3.5mm dynamic compression plate. As opposed to Monteggia fractures in the pediatric population, which can be treated with closed reduction and casting, Monteggia fractures in adults require operative treatment.
What to look for in a radial fracture?
Though a distal radial fracture may be obvious with deformity, make sure to take a look for disruption of the distal radio-ulnar joint (DRUJ) on XRays.
