Distal radius osteotomy in the elderly patient using angular stable implants and Norian bone cement.

PURPOSE: To report our results after testing the combination of two technologies--angular-stable locking screw implants and Norian SRS cement--in corrective osteotomies of the distal radius in the elderly. This technique eliminates donor site bone-graft morbidity and expands the indications of corrective osteotomies to older patients with osteoporotic bone.

METHODS: Our retrospective series include 6 patients (5 women and 1 man) with an average age of 60 years. Three patients had corrections through a dorsal approach, 1 through a volar approach, and 2 through a combined approach. Two corrections included an intraarticular osteotomy. We used 2.4-mm volar T plates in patients approached volarly and 2.4-mm L and T plates for those approached dorsally; the osseous defect was filled with bone cement (Norian SRS). Range of motion and grip strength were measured at 16 months average follow-up. Standard wrist radiographs were taken to evaluate alignment and determine improvement. At final follow-up, patients completed the Modified Mayo Wrist score, the Modified Gartland and Werley score, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire.

RESULTS: There were no perioperative complications. All corrective osteotomies healed. One patient required a Darrach procedure at 6 months. The average wrist and forearm motion was 77% of the opposite side and grip strength 88% of the opposite side. The average total correction in the sagittal plane was 22 degrees with all patients returning to neutral or better alignment. The average ulnar variance improvement was 2 mm. Average postoperative DASH was 28 points; average Modified Mayo Wrist score was 68; and the Modified Gartland and Werley score averaged 9 points.

CONCLUSIONS: We believe that corrective osteotomy of the distal radius in the elderly using angular stable implants and Norian calcium phosphate cement is a safe and predictable surgical technique, even in patients with underlying osteoporosis. It eliminates donor site morbidity, and patient-rated outcome measures demonstrated acceptable daily living function return.