Abstract
Aim: To demonstrate that early open reduction and dorsal wedge corticocancellous bone grafting is an effective modality of treatment in the younger population with inherently unstable distal radial fractures sustained by high energy trauma. Methods: 17 patients with an average age of 53.7 years sustaining Frykman grades VII and VIII underwent open reduction and dorsal wedge cortico-cancellous bone grafting between 1994 and 1998. The study included eight men and nine women; the right wrist being affected in eight cases and the left in nine. There was dorsal comminution in 10 wrists with additional volar comminution in the remaining 7 cases. The mean time to operation was 6.5 days and the time to review averaged 16.5 months. Results: Good functional outcome results with a mean mass grip strength of 68.8% (Range = 40 to 100%) and patient satisfaction (94%) were obtained. A signiþcant improvement of radiographic parameters were observed postoperatively (Mean radial length = 11.7mm; Mean volar tilt = + 1.4¡) and remained so at the time of assessment (Mean radial length = 11.0mm; Mean volar tilt = -0.1¡) indicating structural support of the cortico-cancellous graft. Conclusion: Open reduction and dorsal wedge cortico-cancellous bone grafting is an effective modality of treatment of unstable fractures of the distal radius in the younger population. Donor site morbidity was not a disadvantage.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
