PMC3332322_01
Radiographs after injury, showing the distal radius fracture
11751_2012_127_Fig1_HTML.jpg
PMC3332322_01_11751_2012_127_Fig1_HTML.jpg
Fig1
He sustained a closed, dorsally angulated intra-articular fracture of his right distal radius (AO 23-C2) with extensive soft tissue swelling (Fig. 1).
Radiographs at 6 weeks after the index procedure. Broken plate
11751_2012_127_Fig2_HTML.jpg
PMC3332322_01_11751_2012_127_Fig2_HTML.jpg
Fig2
Radiographs revealed a transverse break across the plate, at the level of the distal Combi-hole, directly overlying the fracture site (Fig. 2).
Radiographs at 20 weeks after the first revision procedure
11751_2012_127_Fig3_HTML.jpg
PMC3332322_01_11751_2012_127_Fig3_HTML.jpg
Fig3
He was followed up in clinic with serial radiographs, at 8, 14 and 20 weeks after the first revision osteosynthesis (Fig. 3).
Radiographs at 26 weeks after the first revision procedure. Broken screws
11751_2012_127_Fig4_HTML.jpg
PMC3332322_01_11751_2012_127_Fig4_HTML.jpg
Fig4
Radiographs at this appointment showed that the revision fixation had failed, this time with breaks across all the distal fragment screws (Fig. 4).
Radiographs at 6 weeks after the second revision procedure (with bone graft)
11751_2012_127_Fig5_HTML.jpg
PMC3332322_01_11751_2012_127_Fig5_HTML.jpg
Fig5
He was non-tender over the distal radius when examined at 6 weeks after this second revision procedure, and all the wounds had healed well (Figs. 5, 6).
Clinical examination at 6 weeks after the second revision
11751_2012_127_Fig6_HTML.jpg
PMC3332322_01_11751_2012_127_Fig6_HTML.jpg
Fig6
He was non-tender over the distal radius when examined at 6 weeks after this second revision procedure, and all the wounds had healed well (Figs. 5, 6).
Radiographs at 1 year after second revision
11751_2012_127_Fig7_HTML.jpg
PMC3332322_01_11751_2012_127_Fig7_HTML.jpg
Fig7
The three distal screws had, however, broken, without the plate coming off the bone (Fig. 7).