Intermediate-Term Outcome of 3-Dimensional Corrective Osteotomy for Malunited Distal Radius Fractures With a Mean Follow-Up of 6 Years

Purpose Our study aimed to analyze the functional and radiological intermediate-term outcome of 3-dimensional-guided corrective osteotomies for malunited distal radius frac-tures and to evaluate the progression of osteoarthritis after this intervention. Methods All patients with malunited distal radius fractures who underwent 3-dimensional-guided corrective osteotomies from October 2008 to January 2015 were included. Pre-and postoperative range of motion, grip strength, and postoperative patient-reported outcomes were assessed. Pre -and postoperative osteoarthritis grading was performed using conventional radiographs and the osteoarthritis grading system described by Knirk and Jupiter. Additionally, the evaluation of articular stepoff was performed using pre-and postoperative computed tomography. Results Fifteen patients, with a mean follow-up of 6 years (range, 4.1e10.4 years), were included. According to rater 1, 8 cases had no postoperative osteoarthritis progression, 6 cases had progression of 1 grade, and 1 case had progression of 2 grades. According to rater 2, there was no progression in 11 cases, and there was progression of 1 grade in 2 cases and pro-gression of 2 grades in 2 cases. Compared with before the surgery, the patients demonstrated a mean improvement of 14.8 kg (+/- 12.6 kg) in grip strength after the surgery. At the last follow-up, the mean Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation score was 11.8 (+/- 12.0), the mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 11.1 (+/- 11.4), and the mean residual pain score on the visual analog scale was 0.8 (+/- 1.0). Conclusions The intermediate-term outcome of 3-dimensional-guided corrective osteotomies for distal radius intra-articular malunions showed excellent patient-reported outcomes and no clinically relevant progression of osteoarthritis. (Copyright (C) 2022 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.)