Malunion of a Fracture of the Distal End of the Radius. A Clinical Study.

Abstract

We studied 13 patients who were surgically treated for malunion of fractures of the distal end of the radius. Results were analyzed according to the McBride evaluation system, as reported by Sarmiento, and radiographic comparison of final and pre-operative X-ray films was made. On the basis of radiographic and functional evaluation, results were judged to be good to excellent in 92%. When there was over 20 degrees of dorsal or palmar tilt, open wedge osteotomy was performed. When there was greater than 5mm of ulnar variance, Milch's method or Kapandji's method were used. At follow-up, dorsal tilt or palmar tilt following open wedge osteotomy was less than 7 degrees. Ulnar variance following treatment using Milch's or Kapandji's method was almost zero.