A corrective osteotomy for post-traumatic malalignment of the distal end
of the radius was performed in twenty patients who were followed for an
average of 3.6 years. The indications for correction were based on age,
degree of deformity, limitation of function, pain, and appearance of the
wrist. The procedure included an opening-wedge metaphyseal osteotomy
combined with insertion of a graft and rigid internal fixation with a plate
and screws to permit early motion. Depending on the direction of the
angulation, a dorsal or volar approach was employed to guarantee a
buttressing effect of the plate. The procedure gave satisfactory results
when there were no degenerative changes in the radiocarpal or intercarpal
joints and when the preoperative range of motion of the wrist was adequate.
The results were graded as excellent in five patients, good in ten, fair in
four, and poor in one.