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.