Plating of Proximal Ulna Fractures Using Posterolateral Distal Humerus Plates: Surgical Technique and Case Series

Abstract

Precontoured olecranon plates are frequently used in the management of proximal ulna fractures. Occasionally, in comminuted proximal ulna fractures or segmental ulna fractures, available precontoured olecranon plates are too short for the management of these fractures. The authors have utilized posterolateral distal humerus plates in these instances. The coronal bend in some posterolateral distal humerus plates anecdotally fits well to the proximal ulna, despite being designed for the distal humerus. We sought to measure the coronal angulation of precontoured posterolateral distal humerus plates from various companies and compare these to established proximal ulna angles. Case examples are also provided.