Corrective osteotomy for malunion of the distal radius

Forty-five patients were reviewed on average 5.7 years after corrective ost eotomy for symptomatic distal radius malunion. Restoration of anatomy and f unction was assessed compared with the contralateral wrist. It was found th at osteotomy of the distal radius alone did not completely restore normal a natomy and relieve symptoms, and in several cases a second operation was ne eded. Osteoarthritic changes in the radiocarpal and radioulnar joints were common, and they correlated with restriction in range of motion, but not wi th pain. Range of motion and el ip power were reduced compared to the unaff ected hand, but only loss of supination and ulnar deviation correlated with an unsatisfactory subjective result. The result was good or satisfactory i n 33 of the 45 patients. We conclude that reconstructive procedures in pati ents with distal radius malunion may not completely restore normal function , and every effort should therefore be made to prevent malunion in the trea tment of distal radius fractures.