Non-union in 3 of 15 osteotomies of the distal radius without bone graft

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Open-wedge osteotomies of the distal radius create a void that is usually filled with either iliac crest bone graft or bone substitute. Previous studies have suggested that this is unnecessary. We investigated the safety of omitting the filling procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included 15 patients with a dorsal malunion of a distal radius fracture. A palmar approach and angle-stable plates were used. The patients were followed until there was radiographic and clinical healing. RESULTS: Non-union occurred in 3 of the 15 patients. The study, which had been planned to include 25 patients, was then discontinued. 6 osteotomies created a trapezoid void (no cortical contact); 3 of these did not unite after the index procedure (p = 0.04), but did subsequently, after autogenous bone grafting. A trapezoid void was significantly associated with non-union (p = 0.04). INTERPRETATION: When a trapezoid defect is created, one should consider bone substitute or autogenous bone graft. This has been shown to be safe in other studies.