Abstract: Objective To evaluate the curative effect and safety of ulnar nonunions with interlocking intramedullary nails and iliac bone grafts. Methods During the period of July 2004 to July 2008, 13 patients who had accepted nonoperative or operative treatment and diagnosed as ulnar nonunion were considered for the treatment of interlocking intramedullary nails together with autogenous bone graft. There were 9 men and4 women with an average age of 31.3 years(17～52 years). Plaster was used for immobilization postoperation ranging from4～8weeks with an average of 6.6 weeks. Passive and active motion were encouraged immediately after putting off the plaster. To evaluate union with X-ray pictures and evaluate the postoperative function with Rating system. Results All of the 13 patients accepted follow -up, with an average time of 16.1 months (9～21months). The X -ray pictures showed that one -stage union was in 12 patients(92%), witha meaning healing time of 5.6 months(4～8 months). One patient had to be performed with the treatment of vascularized fibular graft and changing the nail for 14 months of nonunion, then achieved union 6 months after the second operation. The Rating system scores of the 13 patients showed:5 patients(38%) had excellent Results ;6 patients(46%) had satisfactory Results ; 1 patient(8%) had satisfactory result and1 patient(8%) had failure result. No severe complications were observed during the treatment and follow -up. Conclusion Treatment of ulnar nonunions with interlocking intramedullary nails and iliac bone grafts is safe and effective.

Key words: ulnar, intramedullary nailing, fracture nonunion, iliac bone grafting