title: Salvage of distal radius nonunion with a dorsal spanning distraction plate.
abstract: Treatment of nonunion after previous instrumentation of distal radius fractures represents a reconstructive challenge. Resultant osteopenia provides a poor substrate for fixation, often necessitating wrist fusion for salvage. A spanning dorsal distraction plate (bridge plate) can be a useful adjunct to neutralize forces across the wrist, alone or in combination with nonspanning plates to achieve union, salvage wrist function, and avoid wrist arthrodesis in distal radius nonunion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Hand Center of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX.
authors.forename: Suhail K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mithani
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Hand Center of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX.
authors.forename: Ramesh C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Srinivasan
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Hand Center of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Hand Center of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX.
authors.forename: Marc J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Hand Center of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX.
authors.forename: Fraser J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Leversedge
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC; Hand Center of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX. Electronic address: d.ruch@dm.duke.edu.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ruch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Distal radius fracture; bridge plate; distal radius nonunion