PREMATURE CLOSURE OF THE DISTAL RADIAL PHYSIS AFTER FRACTURE OF THE DISTAL RADIAL METAPHYSIS

Two fractures of the distal radius seemingly with lack of involvement of the distal radial physis are presented. Nevertheless, complete arre st of the adjacent physis occurred, suggesting a Salter-Harris V mecha nism of injury to the vulnerable distal radial physis. Ulnar ''overgro wth'' produced impingement of the carpus and functional complaints suf ficient to warrant treatment. In this clinical setting, an ulnar-short ening osteotomy done at skeletal maturity resulted in marked improveme nt in the range of motion at the radiocarpal joint and corresponding i mprovement in function for both patients so treated.