Intramedullary Plate Fixation and Viable Bone Allografting in a Complex Intra-articular Distal Radius Fracture Nonunion: A Case Report

Cureus. 2024 Mar 31;16(3):e57308. doi: 10.7759/cureus.57308. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Abstract

In this report, we detail a 69-year-old female who sustained a comminuted intra-articular left distal radius fracture that failed to heal with bridge plate fixation. Given the patient's poor subchondral bone stock and refusal of bone autograft, we designed a construct using a dorsal spanning plate and an intramedullary fragment-specific plate as a volarly placed strut in combination with viable bone allograft and cancellous bone chips to treat this nonunion. This case demonstrates an option for distal radius non-union treatment and highlights the importance of ingenuity that orthopedic surgeons should demonstrate when trying to accommodate patients' wishes.

Keywords: #distal radius fracture; #nonunion; cancellous bone chips; dorsal spanning plate; intramedullary fragment plate; viable bone allograft.

Publication types

  • Case Reports