Aseptic Forearm Nonunions Treated by Plate and Opposite Fibular Autograft Strut

Cesare Faldini MD, Stavroula Pagkrati MD, Matteo Nanni MD, Shay Menachem, Sandro Giannini MD
Surgical Technique
Volume 467, Issue 8 / August , 2009

Abstract on SpringerLink | Full article HTML | Full article PDF

Download Citation

Abstract

Forearm nonunion frequently changes the relationship between the radius and ulna and may lead to impairment of forearm function. We propose a new surgical technique for aseptic forearm nonunions combining a fibular cortical autograft strut with a metal plate and a fibular intercalary autograft in cases with a segmental bone defect. We retrospectively reviewed 20 patients with a mean age of 31 years (range, 17–48 years) at the time of surgery. Minimum followup was 12 years (mean, 14 years; range, 12–21 years). There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. At last followup, all forearm bones had remodeled. The mean visual analog pain scale was 1 (range, 0–3). Forearm function improved; there were no radiographic signs of ankle arthritis at followup. Surgical treatment of aseptic forearm nonunions by combining a massive fibular cortical autograft strut with a plate and associating a fibular intercalary autograft in case of a segmental bone defect led to bone healing, improved forearm function, and a durable outcome with long-term followup.

Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Go to Issue Contents