The isolated fracture of the ulnar shaft is notorious for prolonged
healing time. Over a twenty-seven-month period, seventy-one such fractures
were treated at our institution. The initial twelve fractures were
immobilized with the standard axilla-to-palm plaster cast. They had an
average healing time of 10.5 weeks and a non-union rate of 8 per cent. The
remaining fifty-nine fractures were treated without a cast or with a cast
or splint for no longer than two weeks after injury and then mobilization
as tolerated. In this group the average healing time was 6.7 weeks and
there were no non-unions. The motion at the wrist and elbow was always
regained, and the average loss of forearm rotation was 5 degrees.