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We describe our experience of using a volar locking plate for corrective osteotomy and bone grafting combined with early mobilisation in the treatment of distal radius malunions. Corrective osteotomy of the distal radius was performed through a volar approach, and fixated by a volar locking plate associated with corticocancellous iliac bone grafting in three patients aged 16, 71 and 75 years. Two patients had had volarly displaced malunion and one dorsally displaced malunion. Wrist motin was started immediately after surgery. The average follow-up was 15 months (range, 12–20 months). All osteotomies healed at an average 5.7 weeks post-operatively, resulting in a total arc of wrist motion of 133°, forearm rotation of 167°, and grip strength of 70% of that of the contralateral side. This treatment method proved to be effective and safe.

We present a case of subcutaneous flexor tendon rupture of the index finger following malunion of a distal radius fracture. The cause of the tendon rupture was mechanical attrition due to a bony prominence at the palmar joint rim in the distal radius due to malunion. Corrective osteotomy and the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure were carried out for the wrist pain and forearm rotation disability and a tendon graft was carried out for the flexor tendon rupture. Recovery was satisfactory.

Incidence of multiple flexor tendon rupture following distal radius fractures is rare with very few cases being reported in literature. We present an unusual case of a patient who had come to us with complaints of weakness and paresthesia of the right hand of one month prior and with a past history of dorsal plating for distal radius fracture nine years ago. Radiographs showed a distal radius fracture malunion with intact dorsal plate and protrusion of screws through the volar cortex. On exploration, attritional ruptures of all digital flexors were found with sparing of the Flexor Pollicis Longus tendon. The fibrous mass was excised and flexors reconstructed with a fascia lata graft. Attempt was made to correct the malunion with radial and ulnar osteotomies. At one year the patient had excellent restoration of digital flexion.

Background: Three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) imaging has enabled more accurate preoperative planning. The purpose of this study was to investigate the results of a novel, computer-assisted, 3D corrective osteotomy using prefabricated bone graft substitute to treat malunited fractures of the distal radius.

Methods: We investigated 19 patients who underwent the computer-assisted 3D corrective osteotomy for a malunited fracture of the distal radius after the operation was stimulated with CT data. A prefabricated bone graft substitute corresponding to the patient’s bone defect was implanted and internal fixation was performed using a plate and screws. We compared postoperative radiographic parameters of the patient’s operated side with their sound side and analyzed clinical outcomes using Mayo wrist score.

Results: All patients achieved bone union on X-ray imaging at final follow-up. The mean differences of palmar tilt, radial inclination and ulnar variance between the operation side and the sound side were 4.3°, 2.3° and 1.2 mm, respectively. The Mayo wrist score was fair in 4 patients and poor in 15 patients before surgery. At the final follow-up after surgery, the scores improved to excellent in 3 patients, good in 11 patients and fair in 5 patients. There were two patients with correction loss at the final follow-up, but no patient complained of hand joint pain.

Conclusions: We believe that computer-assisted 3D corrective osteotomy using prefabricated bone graft substitute achieved good results because it worked as a guide to the accurate angle.

Corrective osteotomy with callus filling at fracture site for malunion after distal radius fracture is a rare technique, but it achieved a favorable postoperative outcome. The patient, 66-year-old female, visited our hospital 4 months after distal radius fracture. Corrective osteotomy of the distal radius was planned aiming at improving the wrist joint function, and was performed using a volar locking plate, then the bone defect was filled with callus as autogenous bone grafting. At 12 months after surgery, left wrist joint pain and the range of motion have improved, and the Mayo wrist score was excellent. To our knowledge, there has been no study on the treatment of bone defects by filling with callus. Since favorable bone fusion was achieved with callus, this treatment method may overcome the disadvantages of autogenous bone graft, such as pain at the donor region.

The use of wide-awake local anesthesia with no tourniquet (WALANT) in surgical procedures of the hand is well described and extends to tendon surgery, carpal tunnel release, trapeziectomy and phalangeal fracture fixation. Its use has not been described in corrective osteotomies of phalangeal or metacarpal fracture malunion. In our series of five patients who underwent phalangeal and metacarpal osteotomies under WALANT, all of the patients achieved union at a mean of 3.5 months and were satisfied with the results. All digital malrotations were corrected. There was an improvement of motion and grip strength by 24% and 29.3% respectively compared to pre-surgery. Corrective osteotomies under WALANT is a safe and effective means of achieving correction of scissoring. With the patient wide awake and cooperating, precise correction of rotational alignment can be ascertained. Concomitant tenolysis allows motion gains to be made over and above the restoration of rotational alignment.

Corrective osteotomy of malunion of both forearm bones is a challenging procedure because it needs accurate angular and rotational correction of both bones. Recent advances in three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques have shown promising results in the correction of complex deformities. We report a patient with malunion of both bones of the forearm in whom we determined site and degree of correction required based on the computed tomography images of the affected side and mirrored images of the contralateral healthy side. We then created 3D printed sawbones and simulated osteotomy to confirm stable dynamic forearm rotation. This method enabled satisfactory restoration of anatomical and functional outcomes. Preoperative dynamic motion simulation using 3D printed anatomic bone model is helpful for complex corrective osteotomy of forearm fracture malunion.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)

A 28-year-old man sustained a complex forearm injury from high-energy trauma, causing ulnar nerve injury, a bone defect, forearm malunion and synostosis. A 3D-printed titanium truss cage was used to solve these problems. This patient achieved union of the bone defect, was pain-free and had no recurrent synostosis 2 years after reconstructive surgery. The advantages of the 3D-printed titanium truss cage included anatomical fit, immediate mobilisation and low morbidity of the donor side of the bone graft. This study reported a promising result from using 3D-printed titanium truss cages to manage complex forearm bony problems.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)