Long-term functional outcomes of extraarticular distal radius osteotomy for the treatment of extraarticular distal radius malunion

Union with defomity is the most common complication following a distal radial
fracture. Thes deformity can be extra articular affecting either the raiocarpal
or the radioulnar jointsl characterized by metaphyseal angulation and loss of
function, or a combination of both.
Malunion of the distal radius can affect the kinematics of the wrist and its
function, causing pauin, restriction of movement and arthritis for the patient.
Corrective osteotomies have been proven to be an effective treatment for
symptomatic malunion. Eventhough it is a difficult procedure that has many
pitfalls in odr to achieve a good result.
There is short and medium term oucome evaluation in the published literature.
However, there is a lack of evidence of the subjective and objective functiol
and radiological long-term outcomes in patients with EDRM treated with EDRO.
This is a retrospective non-comparative cohort review of patients from the AO
AMC database with EDRO in term of long-term functional outcomes.

The aim of this project is to do an objective and subjective functional
long-term outcome assessment of patients with distal radius malunions, treated
with intraarticular osteotomy and therefore evaluate factors that are good
outcome predictors for the population. Additional subjective functional
assessment also will be addressed.

All patients treated operatively for extraarticular distal radius malunion
through EDRO in the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam from the first
abailable year of registry in the AO AMC database until 2004, will be invited
to return to our out-patient clinic for a long term follow up (IRB approved)
DASH questionnaire and Modified Gartland and Werley and Modified Mayo Wrist
Scores ar the insturments used for the evaluation. Furthermore we will use a
range of motion and grio strength measurement wich will be analysed
independently.
Follow up standard wrist radiographies will be taken to evaluate postoperative
alignment, percentage of correction compared to preoperative X rays and the
presence of radiocarpal and/or radioulnar arthritis.

Burden: one time visit to the AMC in Amsterdam

Risk: Very low risk classified as tricial risk for X-photography of the wrist.