title: Corrective osteotomy of the distal radius following failed internal fixation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to quantify the clinical and radiographic outcomes after corrective osteotomy for malunions of the distal radius following failed internal fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Results of 18 patients (8 women, 10 men; mean age 41 years) are presented an average of 7 years after osteotomy of a malunited distal radius fracture. We assessed active range of motion, grip strength, radiographic alignment, pain and disability. Subjective and objective data were summarized using the modified Mayo Wrist Score and the point-score system of Fernandez.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Wrist motion, pain and deformity improved with the operation in all cases. The modified Mayo Wrist Score averaged 79 points. The scale of Fernandez indicated ten good, two fair and six poor results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that the operative correction of a distal radius malunion following an unsuccessful internal fixation can be achieved with outcomes comparable to those reported after initial nonoperative treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Aachen, Pauwelstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany. ggradl@ukaachen.de
authors.forename: Gertraud
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gradl
authors.forename: Jesse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jupiter
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pillukat
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knobe
authors.forename: Karl-Josef
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Prommersberger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D017759:Fractures, Malunited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017211:Treatment Failure