Hardware Repair

Re-fracture of Distal Radius and Hardware Repair in the Setting of Trauma

Authors: Brandon P. Lucke-Wold, PhD1*, Patrick C. Bonasso, MD2, and Glen Jacob, MD3

Author Affiliations:

1 Department of Surgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine.  Medical student author.

2 Dept. of Surgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine. Co-author, pbonass3@hsc.wvu.edu.

3 Dept. of Surgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine. Faculty author, gjacob@hsc.wvu.edu

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Corresponding Author: Brandon Lucke-Wold, PhD, Bwold@mix.wvu.edu

Key Words: Volar locking plate-distal radius fracture-open reduction-internal fixation

 

Abstract:

Distal radius fractures are one of the most common fractures in the elderly. Falls and motor vehicle collisions lead to increased risk for this type of fracture. A seventy-three year-old female had a previous history of distal radius fracture with repair by open reduction and internal fixation. She was involved in a motor vehicle collision that re- fractured the distal radius. The plate was bent and required removal, which is a very rare but potentially serious complication. Surgery was done to fix the open reduction and internal fixation with volar locking plates while removing damaged hardware. Only a select few cases have reported hardware failure as a cause of complications. Among those cases, high-energy activities and maintained stress on the hardware were likely causes. Distal radius fractures are the most common upper extremity fracture in the elderly. We highlight a unique case of re-fracture in the setting of trauma with prior hardware failure and describe the strategy for hardware repair.

 

Published on date: December, 2016

 

DOI: 10.15404/msrj/11.2016.0009

Citation: Lucke-Wold B, Bonasso P, Jacob G. Re-fracture of Distal Radius and Hardware Repair in the Setting of Trauma. Medical Student Research Journal (2016). doi:10.15404/msrj/11.2016.0009

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