Fractures of the radius and ulna.
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The comminuted intraarticular fracture of the distal radius requires early, accurate reduction of the articular surfaces and sustained restoration of anatomic position. The most commonly employed methods are pins and plaster, external fixation, percutaneous pinning, and open reduction and internal fixation. There are pitfalls, advantages, and disadvantages inherent in each method. Careful preoperative analysis of individual patients and fractures determines the therapeutic options.
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The treatment of fractures of the proximal radius is controversial. This retrospective elaborates on indications for operative or conservative treatment, dependent on fracture type. A new classification of fracture and a new evaluation score for follow-up examination are presented. The study shows very good results for conservative treatment of type A1-fractures without dislocation of fragments and good results for operative treatment of type A2-fractures. Type A3-fractures (multifragment fractures) demand reconstruction. If that is not possible, the primary resection of the radial head leads to better results than its secondary resection. The implantation of silastic prostheses of the radial head leads to worse results in primary (2 cases) and secondary resection (2 cases) than resection of radial head alone.
The advantages of Ilizarov external fixation, allowing early motion of adjacent joints during fixation of periarticular fractures, have not yet been applied to distal radius fractures. A magnetic resonance imaging study of 10 normal volunteers evaluated the safety of passing percutaneous transfixion pins across the distal radius in 3 forearm positions. Even in the optimal forearm position, the safe zones between the transfixion pin, vessel, nerve, or tendon was small, suggesting that open placement would be required. A cadaver study in 8 specimens demonstrated that the pins could be placed with an open technique using an aiming device and that the pins could be placed without limiting forearm rotation. The proximity of vital structures to transfixion pins dictates open placement to safely apply Ilizarov fixation to distal radius fractures.
A case of pseudoaneurysm of the ulnar artery occurring after distal radius and ulna fracture is presented. This case illustrates an uncommon complication following a fairly common injury.
Pediatric fractures sometimes are complicated by growth disturbances. Most reported growth disturbances are in the lower extremity and can entail growth arrest or overgrowth. We report a case of overgrowth and angular deformity after an extraphyseal distal radius fracture that resulted in clinically significant pain and functional impairment because of palmar instability of the distal ulna. A dome osteotomy was successful in treating the patient's wrist pain, distal radioulnar instability, and multiplanar deformity of the distal radius.
A new external fixation system for repair of fractures of the radius and tibia was developed that uses positive-profile threaded pins. This system allows for addition of a fixation clamp between 2 installed clamps, predrilling of pin holes through a drill sleeve, use of positive-profile threaded pins in all locations, and easier application of full pins. Type-II external fixators were applied, using this system, to fractures in 10 client-owned dogs, and outcome was evaluated. All fractures healed without complications. Duration of surgery, mean time until radiographic evidence of a bridging callus, and mean time until removal of the external fixator were shorter, and frequency of pin loosening were less than with other techniques. Pin loosening was uncommon. This system provides an important improvement in external skeletal fixation.
PURPOSE: Many outcome studies of various surgical techniques for unstable fractures of the distal radius have been published but applicability of the results remains limited because the majority of these trials were not done in a prospective and/or randomized manner. In this study we evaluated 2 common surgical techniques used in the treatment of unstable distal radius fractures in a randomized prospective fashion with a 1-year radiographic and clinical follow-up period. Our hypothesis was that external fixation with augmentation would provide superior results compared with percutaneous pinning and casting. METHODS: Fifty patients younger than 65 years of age with unstable fractures of the distal radius were randomized into 1 of 2 surgical treatment groups: percutaneous pins with casting or augmented external fixation. All surgery was performed by 1 of 3 surgeons within 10 days of injury. Over 80% of the fractures were classified as AO-ASIF C2 or C3 and there was a similar distribution of fracture types in each group. RESULTS: The use of augmented external fixation did not improve the mean radiographic parameters of radial length, radial angulation, or volar tilt. Restoration of volar tilt of highly comminuted fractures was difficult to achieve regardless of the technique. Improved articular surface reduction was realized with the use of an external fixator but overall only 3 patients were noted to have steps or gaps greater than 2 mm. No significant differences in mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores, total range of motion, grip strength, or health-related quality of life were observed between the groups. All 3 patients diagnosed with sympathetic dystrophy had had external fixation. CONCLUSIONS: Although augmented external fixation represents a popular first line treatment for unstable fractures of the distal radius this study suggests that for fractures with minimal articular displacement similar clinical results can be obtained with percutaneous pinning and casting.
Arthrosis of the lunate-capitate (LC) joint was investigated in 44 wrists from 36 patients. The symptomatology was uncharacteristic and most patients were examined because of pain, swelling or decreased function of the wrist. The LC arthrosis seemed to be secondary to trauma in most patients; 26 wrists had an increased distance between the lunate and scaphoid, indicating a rotatory luxation of the scaphoid; 5 had fracture of the scaphoid with pseudarthrosis; one had a radius fracture healed with volar and ulnar compression and 2 had penetrating trauma to the LC joint. The arthrosis was secondary to pathologic changes in the lunate in 3 patients; lunatomalacia in 2 and a cyst fracturing into the LC joint in one. In 7 wrists arthrosis was found in several carpal joints and the LC arthrosis was one of these.
An overview of forms and localization of falsely healed fractures and possibilities for their correction is presented. In contrast to statically loaded lower limbs, posttraumatic arthrosis due to false position of the upper limbs is less common. In these cases indication for corrective osteotomy is aimed above all at improving the limb function. Central restorative measures are corrective osteotomy following falsely healed supracondylar humerus fractures in childhood and open wedge osteotomy of distal radius fractures. Even minimal axial deviations in the lower limbs will lead to false loading of joint surfaces and to early arthrosis, thus corrective osteotomy is indicated at a much earlier stage.
Comminuted intra-articular fracture of the distal radius remains a challenging problem. This article reviews the results of 15 consecutive cases which were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with T-plate after failing to achieve articular congruency with closed reduction. The follow-up ranges from 20 months to 28 months. In thirteen cases, articular congruency was restored. However, 4 of these 13 cases later lost some of the articular congruency. This suggests the need for supplementary bone grafting. Reduction of the extra-articular portion of distal radius was generally well maintained. There was an average of 2.4 mm loss in styloid height, an increase of 1.2 mm in ulnar variance and loss of 12.5 degrees of volar tilt. Seven patients (46%) were completely pain-free, with the remaining 8 patients (53%) experiencing mild pain associated with forceful activities involving the wrist. All patients achieved a functional range of motion. Grip strength averaged 81% of the uninjured side. Of the 12 patients who were engaged in active employment, 10 returned to their previous job within 4 months of injury (average 8.5 weeks). The only complication in this series was the development of reflex sympathetic dystrophy in a 68-year-old housewife. We recommend open reduction and internal fixation if closed reduction fails to achieve articular congruency in comminuted distal radius fractures.
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Radial clubhand deformity secondary to atrophic nonunion of an open distal radius fracture with bone loss is a challenging reconstructive problem. Two patients with this deformity had staged reconstruction using the Ilizarov apparatus. After gradual realignment of the distal radius metaphyseal fragment, a proximal to distal bone transport of the radial shaft was done. At completion of the bone transport, the docking site was augmented with autologous iliac crest bone graft. Both patients achieved radiographic union at the proximal and distal ends of the bone transport site and were satisfied with the outcome. At 3 years followup, full finger and elbow mobility were maintained. The wrist had improved appearance with limited painless mobility. Posttraumatic radial club hand deformities with associated bone loss can be treated successfully with staged reconstruction using the Ilizarov apparatus and methodology.
PURPOSE: The reasons for fractures in the elderly patients are multifactorial. Osteoporosis is considered to be the main pathology. Other reasons are the increase in fall frequency and the protective response to trauma. The most common sites at which these fractures occur are the hip, vertebra and distal radius. A combination of these is uncommon. METHODS: All patients who were treated between January 1990 and December 2000 with a combination of distal radius and hip fractures and were older than 65-years were retrospectively evaluated. The following parameters were evaluated: age; sex; pre fall function; use of drugs; chronic and acute comorbidity; circumstance of the fall; hospitalization length of stay; treatment procedure; complications; and post-hospitalization rehabilitation. RESULTS: Forty-six patients met the study's criteria. Group I consisted of 16 patients between 65-80 years, and group II consisted of the remaining 30 patients older than 80 years. All patients suffered low energy trauma. Ten out of the 16 patients in group I, and eight out of the 30 patients in group II were totally independent, while the remaining patients needed some help with activity of daily living (ADL). In all patients the simultaneous fractures were ipsilaterally. For 45 patients hospital stay ranged from 5-23 days. Twenty-eight patients were transferred to a geriatric rehabilitation centre. Twenty-six of them returned to their previous ADL after a period of 60 days on average. Among the 18 remaining patients, 11 gained full recovery (6 from group I and 5 from group II) and seven patients (5 from group II) had a slight reduction in ADL. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of these fractures is probably more traumatic and occurs in the higher-age group. It is always located in the ipsilateral side. The double trauma represents a better pre-morbid condition relative to patients in the same age group, and thus it may serve as a prognostic indicator for success in rehabilitation.
Twelve patients with fracture of the distal radius were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with titanium minifragment plates. There were 8 women and 3 men, with a mean age of 42 years. The mean follow-up was 18 months. According to the score of Gartland and Werley, 11 patients had an excellent result and one patient had a good result. All patients reported no pain in their activities of daily living and were satisfied with the result. All workers returned to work. One patient developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy which resolved with treatment. No patients needed plate removal because of irritation of the tendons. The results obtained with this technique appear promising, although more cases are needed to achieve a definitive conclusion.