These x-rays are those of a young woman who was treated by two other orthopedic surgeons. She came to me after being treated for this wrist fracture that has healed in an unacceptable position. Below you can see the malunited fracture on this AP view.
On this lateral view, you can see that the fracture has healed in what was measured as 45 degrees of angulation. This is not an acceptable position for this fracture.
Below you can see the normal wrist x-rays on the unaffected side, same patient.
This lady came seeking help for her malunited fracture. We took her to surgery where the healed bone was precisely cut (refractured) with a micro saw and realigned. Below is the end result of a restoration of the fracture to a perfect position. The new bone position is held with a special plate and screws which holds the bone while it heals. The gap created by the cut in the bone (osteotomy) is filled with synthetic bone substitute (Norian from Synthes). The plate is from Hand Innovations and is a remarkable way to fix wrist fracture that we once treated in a cast, with pins or with an external fixator. There are no external devices on the wrist. For wrist fractures that we treat primarily, the wrist is usually splinted for 2-4 weeks followed by a removable wrist splint and early therapy. This patient was treated in a splint for 6 weeks before attending therapy due to the complex nature of the reconstruction. This is an outstanding result in a fracture that healed in an unacceptable position initially. So far, the patient and I are extremely pleased.
Her post op films are below.
Thanks,
JM