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Case Reports
. 2023 Jun;18(4):NP1.
doi: 10.1177/15589447221130083. Epub 2023 Feb 13.

Proximal Plate Migration After Internal Fixation of a Pediatric Distal Radius Fracture

Meaghan L Barr  1 , Nirbhay S Jain  1 , Haley Bunting  1 , Prosper Benhaim  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Proximal Plate Migration After Internal Fixation of a Pediatric Distal Radius Fracture

Meaghan L Barr et al. Hand (N Y). 2023 Jun.

Abstract

We present a case of a 26-year-old right-hand-dominant male stage manager who underwent open reduction internal fixation of right open both-bone forearm fractures at the age of 13. The patient presented 13 years and 8 months later with proximal hardware migration, soft tissue erosion, and subsequent hardware exposure. The patient underwent hardware removal with resolution of pain and improvement in range of motion. To the best of our knowledge, this complication has not been published before.

Keywords: diagnosis; distal radius; fracture/dislocation; open fractures; pain; pediatric; trauma; wound management.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Postinjury radiographs at 13 years demonstrated right both-bone forearm fractures.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Intraoperative fluoroscopy demonstrated appropriate reduction and hardware placement.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Radiographs at 2 months postoperatively demonstrated good hardware position.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Radiographs at 4 years postoperatively (17 years old) demonstrated proximal hardware migration.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Radiographs at 13 years and 8 months postoperatively (26 years old) demonstrated stable proximal hardware migration and soft tissue paucity.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Preoperative examination at age 26 years demonstrated sinus tract with exposed hardware.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Intraoperative examination revealed proximal migration of hardware with significant bony incorporation. All hardware was successfully removed.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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