Corrective osteotomy for volarly malunited distal radius fracture

Purpose To retrospectively analyze consecutive cases with opening wedge corrective osteotomy of the volarly malunited distal radius with iliac bone graft, including preoperative and postoperative comparison of symptoms, visual analog scale (VAS), Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH-JSSH) questionnaires, radiographic indices, clinical results as evaluated by modified Mayo wrist score, and complications. Methods Subjects were 28 patients with volarly malunited distal radius fracture treated by transverse opening wedge osteotomy with oblique iliac bone graft. Preoperative symptoms included wrist deformity, weakness of grip strength, and marked restriction of supination range. Postoperative symptoms, radiographic parameters, clinical results, and complications were analyzed at an average of 25 months of follow-up. We also analyzed the union period of the radius in younger patients (≤45 years old) and older patients (>45 years old). Results Mean preoperative visual analog scale was 45, improving significantly to 3 postoperatively. Range of wrist motion improved in all 28 patients, with supination range improving from 16° preoperatively to 80° postoperatively. Mean preoperative DASH-JSSH score was 55, improving to 9 postoperatively. Radiography revealed that volar tilt improved from 32° preoperatively to 10° postoperatively, and radial inclination increased from 17° to 21°. Preoperative ulnar variance of +5.9 mm was corrected to −0.1 mm postoperatively. All 28 wrists demonstrated bony union at the osteotomy site after an average of 52 days (younger patients, 51 days; older patients, 54 days). No complications, significant radiographic correction loss, or nonunion were seen after at least 2 years of follow-up. Modified Mayo wrist score was excellent in 16 patients, good in 10 patients, and fair in 2 patients. Conclusions Opening wedge osteotomy for volarly malunited distal radius fracture restored bony configuration of the distal radius, decreased pain, and improved grip strength and range of wrist motion, particularly for forearm supination. No complications or noteworthy correction loss were noted after surgery, even in older patients. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.