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Complications of ORIF of Distal Radius Frx


- Acute Complications of ORIF of Distal Radius Fractures:
     - median, radial or ulnar sensory neuropathy;
     - acute and late carpal tunnel syndrome;
     - loss of reduction
           - deformity
           - decreased motion
           - arthritis
           - pain in the radiocarpal and or DRUJ;
     - stiffness
           - most patients will have some residual limitation of mobility of the wrist as well as of grip strength.
     - painful hardware:
           - in one study, 15% of plates had to be removed due to complications;
           - ref: Volar Locking Plates Versus External Fixation and Adjuvant Pin Fixation in Unstable Distal Radius Fractures: A RCS 

     - tendon rupture:  (see EPL rupture)
           - references:
                  - Rupture of the Flexor Pollicis Longus Tendon After Volar Fixed-Angle Plating of a Distal Radius Fracture: A Case Report
                  - Prevention of flexor pollicis longus tendon rupture after volar plate fixation of distal radius fractures
                  - Volar Plate Position and Flexor Tendon Rupture Following Distal Radius Fracture Fixation

- Chronic Complications:
     - mid carpal instability
     - ulnar impaction syndrome;
     -mal-union:
             - Reconstruction of post-traumatic deformity of the distal radius and ulna.
     - incongruity of the DRUJ
             - ulnar side of wrist operations:
                   - Sauve-Kapandji
                   - Hemi-resection Interpositional Arthroplasty
                   - Bower's Procedure:
                         - Radial osteotomy and Bowers arthroplasty for malunited fractures of the distal end of the radius.
                   - Darrah's Procedure
                   - Watson's matched ulnar resection