Journal List > J Korean Orthop Assoc > v.26(3) > 1115084

Yoo, Kim, and Kim: A Clinical Study for malunited Fractures of the Distal End of the Radius

Abstract

There are several methods of corrective osteotomy for angulation deformities of the elbow joint and the recommended proper time for osteotomy, to get a satisfactory result, is early stage before the growth has completed. Actually in clinics, most patients come to the hospital after the growth has completed. If the fixation of the osteotomy site is improper in these cases, the displacement of the osteotomy site or the limitation of the elbow motion after longterm immobilization are apt to occur. From January 1987 to December 1989, among 29 patients who were admitted to Pusan National University Hospital for correction of the angulation deformity of the elbow joint, 16 cases of cubitus varus deformity and 6 cases of cubitus valgus deformity were followed for more than 12 months after corrective osteotomy. The results were as follows: 1. The osteotomies used were lateral closing wedge osteotomy for cubitus varus, lateral opening wedge osteotomy for mildly deformed cubitus valgus and opening wedge displacement osteotomy for severely defromed cubitus valgus deformity. 2. For fixation, we used screws (modified French method) in 12 cases, K-wires in 4 cases and T-plate in 6 cases. 3. The result rated by Oppenheim's criteria were as follows: 13 cases (59.1%) were excellent, 5 cases (22.7%) were satisfactory and 4 cases (18.2% ) were poor. 4. Four cases of poor result were the group of more than 16 years old, fixed with K-wires or screw, and the problem was that the displacement took place at the osteotomy site. 5. In the group of more than 16 years old, better results were obtained by the firm fixation with T-plate and early mobilization.

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