[Secondary arthrosis of the wrist joint in malposition of healed and un-corrected fracture of the distal radius].

Basal fracture of the radius (traumatic manus radioflex) healed in the typical false position appreciable impairs the biomechanics of the wrist. Development of secondary arthrosis is to be feared in this condition. We report on the result of a follow-up investigation of 24 patients with a false position of the distal end of the radius requiring correction. The observation period is five to 40 years. The clinical and radiological follow-up examination shows that even highly deformed wrists can retain good mobility and remain free of pain for years. The most prominent symptoms are strain pain on ulnar side of the wrist and in the region of the distal radioulnar joint. It is less the tilting of the base of the radius which is responsible for the symptoms and for the development of the arthrosis. On the contrary, the shortening of the radius plays the major role here, causing an incongruence or even luxation of the distal radioulnar joint.