CORRECTIVE OSTEOTOMIES AFTER INJURIES OF THE DISTAL RADIAL PHYSIS IN CHILDREN

Six children had corrective osteotomies of the distal forearm because of growth disturbance from post-traumatic closure of the distal radial physis. Lengthening osteotomy of the radius was performed in three pa tients with grafts from the iliac crest. All osteotomies healed in a s atisfactory position. Three patients had only moderate mal angulation of the radius and were treated by shortening of the ulna, The median p ostoperative palmar angulation of the distal radius was 4 (0-13)degree s, the radial inclination 22 (15-28)degrees, and the ulnar variance wa s -2 (-4 - +2) mm. The postoperative pain relief was complete in all p atients and the total range of motion was 96 (93-100)% compared with t he opposite side.