Fractures of the distal radius are among the most common fractures treated by orthopedic
surgeons. In the healed distal radius fracture, the discrepancy from actual alignment
to anatomic alignment is malunion. Minimal malunion of the distal radius may be asymptomatic
or cause mild to moderate clinical problems. With the increasing magnitude of distal
radius malunion weakness, carpal instability, posttraumatic arthritis, ulnar carpal
abutment, and other problems can occur, resulting in significant disability. Malunion
of the distal radius should be scrutinized and treated with corrective osteotomy when
clinically indicated.
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© 2004 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
