Opening-wedge osteotomy, bone graft, and external fixation for correction of radius malunion.

Abstract

A technique of radius opening-wedge osteotomy, bone graft, and external fixation for the treatment of symptomatic radius malunion is presented. It provides direct rigid fixation to the osteotomy components, thus maintaining the correction while allowing early wrist exercises. This technique has been effective for 7 patients in correcting deformities that averaged--20 degrees palmar tilt with radial shortening of 3.4 mm to a postoperative average palmar tilt of 5.3 degrees and -0.4 mm radial shortening. It is an alternative technique for the hand surgeon treating radius malunion and can be easily combined with adjunctive procedures.