scholarly journals Solitary ulnar shortening osteotomy for malunion of distal radius fractures: experience of a centre in the UK and review of the literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-207
Author(s):  
S Hassan ◽  
R Shafafy ◽  
A Mohan ◽  
P Magnussen

Introduction Isolated ulnar shortening osteotomies can be used to treat ulnocarpal abutment secondary to radial shortening following distal radius fractures. Given the increase of fragility distal radius fractures awareness of treating the sequelae of distal radius fractures is important. We present the largest reported case series in the UK of ulnar shortening osteotomies for this indication. Materials and methods Twenty patients with previous distal radial fractures were included, who presented with wrist pain and radiologically evident positive ulnar variance secondary to malunion of the distal radius with no significant intercalated instability. Patients were treated with a short oblique ulnar shortening osteotomy, using a Stanley jig and small AO compression plate system. Pre- and postoperative radiographical measurements of inclination, dorsal/volar angulation and ulnar variance were made. Patients were scored pre- and postoperatively using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation scores by two orthopaedic surgeons. Mean follow-up was 24 months after surgery. Results Radiographical analysis revealed a change in the ulnar variance with an average reduction of 5.74 mm. Mean preoperative scores were 61.1 (range 25–95.5) for QuickDASH and 70.4 (range 33–92) for Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation. At the latest follow-up, mean postoperative QuickDASH scores were 10.6 (range 0–43.2) and 17.2 (range 0–44) for Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation. Differences in scores after surgery for both QuickDASH and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Conclusions The ulnar shortening osteotomy is a relatively simple procedure compared with corrective radial osteotomy, with a lower complication profile. In our series, patients showed significant improvement in pain and function by correcting the ulnar variance thus preventing ulna–carpal impaction.

Hand ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 155894472199973
Author(s):  
Nicholas Munaretto ◽  
Adam Tagliero ◽  
Raahil Patel ◽  
Peter C. Rhee

Background Little information exists to guide decision-making with regard to distal radius fractures in the setting of ipsilateral hemiparesis or hemiplegia. Methods Patients who sustained a distal radius fracture in the setting of ipsilateral hemiparesis or hemiplegia secondary to brain injury were evaluated. Investigated variables included perioperative pain, preinjury House functional classification score, length of immobilization, radiographic outcome measurements, and time to union. Results There were 15 patients with distal radius fractures with a mean age of 65.9 years. The mean clinical and radiographic follow-up was 2.8 and 2.9 years, respectively. Wrists were placed into the nonoperative group (NOG, n = 10) and operative group (OG, n = 5). Pain significantly decreased at final follow-up for both groups. Baseline House functional classification scores averaged 1.3 and 1.6 for the NOG and OG, respectively, and were maintained at final follow-up. Length of immobilization for the NOG was 46 days and OG was 37 days, P = .15. Radiographic outcomes at final follow-up in the NOG and OG, respectively, were a mean radial height of 9.3 versus. 11.6 mm, radial inclination of 18.3° versus 22.3°, 4.2° dorsal tilt versus 5.3° volar tilt, and tear drop angle of 45.6° versus 44.5°. There were no significant differences in these measurements. Time to radiographic union averaged 58 days for the NOG and 67 days for the OG, P = .42. There were no revision surgeries. Conclusions Based on this small case series, patients with distal radius fracture and ipsilateral hemiparesis or hemiplegia may have similar clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes, regardless of nonoperative or operative treatment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (04) ◽  
pp. 423-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Abe ◽  
Masahiro Suzuki ◽  
Hiromasa Wakita

Background: To assess the surgical results of distal radius fractures with the involvement of a volar rim fragment using the DePuy-Synthes 2.0 mm and 2.4 mm locking plates.Methods: Subjects were six women and one man of average age 57 years (range, 31–83 y) and a mean follow-up period of 9 months (range, 5–19 mo) with AO B3 (volar shearing) distal radius fractures. Time of the procedure, physical examination of wrist range of motion, grip strength compared with the contralateral healthy wrist, and radiographic evaluation (volar tilt, radial inclination, and ulnar variance) were evaluated. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS: 0 points represents no pain, 100 points represents the worst pain possible) and the Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH, 0 = no disability, 100 = extreme disability) were completed by patients at the final follow-up.Results: The average time of the procedure was 74 min. There were no perioperative complications. Average radiographic measures were: volar tilt, 8°; radial inclination, 23°, and ulnar variance, 0 mm. Wrist range of motion averaged 63° in wrist extension (range, 55–80°) and 55° in wrist flexion (range, 45–65°). Grip strength averaged 81% of the contralateral side at final evaluation (range, 67–100%). The mean QuickDASH score was 3.0 points (range, 0–9.1 points) and the mean VAS for pain was 9.3 at final follow-up.Conclusions: Open reduction internal fixation with the DePuy-Synthes 2.0 mm and 2.4 mm locking plates is an effective means of fixing a distal radius fracture that includes a volar rim fragment without interfering with flexor tendon gliding.


Hand ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 155894472110289
Author(s):  
Anthony L. Logli ◽  
Marco Rizzo

Background: Owing to the many unique disease characteristics of Parkinson disease (PD)—namely resting tremors, muscular rigidity, and poor bone quality—we hypothesized that this patient population would have inferior outcomes with surgical management of acute distal radius fractures (DRFs) compared with the literature available on the general population. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study performed at a single, level 1, academic center from 2001 to 2020 capturing all adult patients with an isolated, acute, and closed DRF that ultimately underwent operative treatment. International Classification of Diseases 10 codes were used to identify 30 patients for manual chart review. Several patient and fracture characteristics were accounted for and complications, reoperations, and failures of surgical intervention were recorded. Results: There was a total of 7/30 failures (23%), 6/30 reoperations (20%), and 12 complications in 9/30 wrists (complication rate, 30%) at a mean latest follow-up of 11 months (1.2-158 months). Of the 7 failures, 5 were due to loss of reduction, and 2 of them were deep infections with mean time to failure of 8.3 weeks (range, 11 days-5.2 months). Conclusions: This study found a high rate of complications, reoperations, and early failure despite a short follow-up period and a small cohort of patients with PD treated surgically for a DRF. We recommend locked plating if suitable for the fracture type and early involvement of a multidisciplinary team to assist with medical optimization of PD to increase chances of a successful outcome.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Mulrain ◽  
K Joshi ◽  
F Doyle ◽  
A Abdulkarim

Abstract Introduction Distal radius fractures are common and trends for fixation have changed with increased use of volar locking plates in recent time. A meta-analysis will summarise the best evidence for treatment. Method A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA methodology to identify studies that reported clinical and/or radiological outcomes in patients with AO type C distal radius fractures when treated with external fixation versus ORIF. Results 10 randomised trials were included in this review, reporting on 967 patients. Clinical outcomes are in favour of volar plating at 3 months post-operation, but no difference between the two groups is seen at 6 or 12 months. Analysis of complication rates shows a minute increase in risk-ratio for volar plating versus external fixation. Subgroup analysis showed significantly higher re-operations after plate fixation and significantly higher infection after external fixation. Conclusions Internal fixation of complex distal radius fractures confers an improved clinical outcome at early follow up only and a minimally increased risk of complications. The improved grip strength with volar plating is only superior at early follow up and no long-term superiority is seen with either intervention. The type of surgery in this injury type therefore remains at the surgeon’s consideration on a case-by-case basis.


2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Ruckenstuhl ◽  
Gerwin A Bernhardt ◽  
Patrick Sadoghi ◽  
Mathias Glehr ◽  
Lukas A Holzer ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 137 (9) ◽  
pp. 1187-1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. L. Weil ◽  
M. El Moumni ◽  
S. M. Rubinstein ◽  
P. Krijnen ◽  
M. F. Termaat ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 08 (01) ◽  
pp. 072-075
Author(s):  
Rukhtam Saqib ◽  
Jemma Rooker ◽  
Andreas Baumann ◽  
Rouin Amirfeyz ◽  
Julia Blackburn

Background Ulnocarpal impaction occurs when there is excessive loading between the ulnar carpus and the distal ulna. Ulnar shortening osteotomies (USOs) decompress the ulnocarpal joint. Many studies have evaluated USO but none have considered the effect of early active mobilization on union rate. Questions Does early active mobilization affect rate of union following USO? Does early active mobilization affect rate of complications following USO? Patients and Methods We performed a retrospective review of 15 consecutive patients that underwent 16 USOs between 2011 and 2015. There were seven males and eight females. Median age at time of shortening osteotomy was 47 years (range: 11–63 years). The median time of the procedure was 62 minutes (range: 45–105 minutes) and the median change in ulnar variance was 5.5 mm (range: 0–10.5 mm). Six patients were initially immobilized in incomplete plaster casts postoperatively, while the remainder had only wool and crepe dressings. Early active mobilization commenced after the first postoperative visit at 12 days. Results There was a 100% union rate in our series and 12 patients were pain-free at final follow-up. However, three of the patients with the longest times to union were smokers. Additionally, some patients may have achieved union between follow-up clinic visits. Conclusion Early active mobilization after USO does not affect union rate. Prospective, randomized studies are required to investigate the effect of early active mobilization in light of factors known to increase time to union, such as smoking. Level of Evidence This is a Level IV, case series.


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