[Results of corrective osteotomy of malunited extension fractures of the radius at the usual site]

Abstract

Background: There is an increasing interest in the corrective osteotomy for the malunited distal radius fracture. Already in the seventies we developed an operative technique for the correction of the malunited Colles' fracture. The technique is based on a special plate, which facilitates precise restoration of the angulation of the joint surface and the length of the radius. The purpose of our study is to investigate the results of our method and to compare them with results in the literature.

Patients and methods: We examined retrospectively the patients with a malunited Colles' fracture corrected by our technique until August 1996. The investigated criteria were range of motion, grip strength, pain relief, and X-ray findings.

Results: Until August 1996, we have performed 124 corrective osteotomies for malunited Colles' fractures; 115 were carried out by our technique; 91 of them could be examined. The mean follow-up time was 4.5 years. The range of motion has improved in all planes, especially for flexion. Grip strength increased but still remained below the level of the opposite side. On X-ray, average dorsal tilt of the radiocarpal joint was 24 degrees preoperatively and was reduced to an almost normal palmar tilt of 7 degrees. Ulnar-plus variance was reduced from 6 mm to less than 1 mm.

Conclusion: Corrective osteotomy of the distal radius is of great benefit and leads to improved hand function and diminished pain. The use of our special plate facilitates this ambitious operation considerably.