Un-united fractures of the distal radius: a report of 12 cases.
The treatment of 12 distal radius nonunions in 11 patients over a 24-year period is presented. The average age of the patients was 55 years (range, 35-72 years). The comorbid medical conditions in the patients with these fractures included diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, psychiatric disorders, alcoholism, peripheral neuropathy, scleroderma, and morbid obesity. Nine of the un-united fractures in 8 patients had insufficient metaphyseal bone to allow internal fixation; 6 of these fractures were treated with a wrist arthrodesis. Three un-united fractures in 3 patients had sufficient supporting bone to permit correction of the nonunion and preservation of the radiocarpal joint. Three nonunions in 3 patients were treated without further surgery. Bony union was achieved in all 9 nonunions managed operatively (6 wrist arthrodeses and 3 open reductions).
The Raymond M. Curtis Hand Center, The Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
K A
KA
Segalman
G L
GL
Clark
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*