Trapezoidal osteotomy of the distal radius for unacceptable articular angulation after Colles'' fracture

Loss of radial palmar tilt in malunion of Colles' fractures alters wrist biomechanics, abnormally loading the tenuous dorsal ligament complex. This can result in midcarpal instability with synovitis, pain, weakness, and possible articular degeneration. An osteotomy to correct radius alignment using a trapezoidal corticocancellous bone graft has been devised. The graft is harvested from the dorsal radius adjacent to the osteotomy and malunion site. When turned 90 degrees, a properly designed trapezoidal graft restores radial length, inclination, and palmar tilt in one step. Functional results in 15 patients at 46 months (range, 18 to 116) were comparable with a series using iliac crest graft and plate- and-screw fixation. This simple technique avoids disruption of the extensor retinaculum and reoperation for hardware removal as Kirschner-wire fixation proved adequate.