Nonunion of the distal radius

Distal radius nonunion after epiphyseal plate fracture in a 15 years old young rider

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK

Radius and ulna fractures are the most common long bone fractures in children and adolescents. The majority of these injuries involve the distal metaphyseal portion of the radius associated or not to physeal plate injuries. Because of the high remodelling potential of the distal radius in growing children most injuries heal without complication after closed reduction and immobilization in a long arm cast. Nonunions of closed distal radius fracture are an extremely rare occurrence especially in paediatric population. Methods: In this report, we describe a rare case of distal radius fracture nonunion in a 15-years old male rider treated conservatively with cast immobilization. Eight months later he underwent surgical closed reduction and fixation with kirschner wire and cannulated screw. Results: Follow-up at 2 years showed satisfying radiological and functional outcomes. The patient ultimately returned to ride 3 months following surgery. Conclusions: Nonunion is rarely seen in distal radius fractures in healthy children and adolescents, and there are few studies in the literature. Treatment of the nonunion must be individualized and the results are not entirely predictable.

Distal radius nonunion after volar locking plate fixation of a distal radius fracture: a case report

We describe a 59-year-old man who had nonunion of a right distal radius fracture after volar locking plate fixation. He underwent open reduction and internal fixation with a volar locking plate system for a dorsally displaced, unstable distal radius fracture at a previous hospital 5 months ago. Radiographs of the injured wrist showed nonunion of the distal radius with 1.5-mm ulnar minus variance. Radiographs of the unaffected wrist showed 3.5-mm ulnar plus variance. Intraoperative findings of surgical revision showed an unstable nonunion; thus, debridement of the nonunion, autogenous inlay bone grafting, and internal fixation using another type of volar locking plate system were performed. Healing of the re-operative site was confirmed radiographically 3 months postoperatively. We considered that volar locking plate fixation with excessive distraction of the fracture may lead to nonunion.

A Novel Technique for Correcting Radial Length and Translation in Distal Radius Fractures

We describe a novel technique in correcting distal radius fractures deformed with significant shortening or coronal plane translation in both the acute or chronic setting. The technique involves using a modified push-pull device to assist the surgeon in correcting length and/or translation of the articular block without the use additional hardware outside of the volar plate.

Nonunion of Fracture of Distal Radius: A Case Report and Literature Review

Nonunion of distal radius fracture is uncommon. Promising results in dorsally displaced fractures of distal radius were reported with the use of volar fixed-angle fixation. We report about a 75-year-old woman with nonunion of distal radius, treated successfully by using volar locking compression plate.