Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Gap Osteotomy Versus Dorsal Opening Wedge Osteotomy for Extra-Articular Distal Radius Malunion and Internal Fixation Using a Volar Locking Plate Without Bone Graft.

Purpose: Metaphyseal corrective osteotomy and fixed-angle volar locking plate fixation have reduced the need for additional bone grafting in symptomatic distal radius malunions. This study evaluated the outcomes of gap versus dorsal opening wedge and locking plate fixation without bone grafts for distal radius malunions and the correlation between the osteotomy defect and the osteotomy's distance from the articular surface with the union time. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 62 patients who underwent corrective osteotomy between 2010 and 2021. Gap osteotomy (n = 44) was performed to correct the coronal deformity predominantly, whereas an opening wedge osteotomy (n = 18) was performed to correct the sagittal deformity. No bone graft was used in any patient. Radiological outcomes comprised of correction of radial height, inclination, ulnar variance, volar tilt and the correlation between the osteotomy defect and the distance from the distal radial articular surface with the union time. The functional assessment comprised the disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand questionnaire and the patient-rated wrist evaluation scores. Results: All patients had a union of the osteotomy and statistically significant improvement in the radial height, inclination, ulnar variance, and tilt, irrespective of the osteotomy technique ( Conclusions: Corrective osteotomy and fixed-angle volar plate fixation for distal radius malunion provide satisfactory union rates and clinical and radiological outcomes even without bone graft, irrespective of the osteotomy type, size, or location. However, length of the osteotomy defect influenced the union time. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic IV.