Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dorsal screw penetration following implant removal after volar locked plating of distal radius fracture

  • Trauma Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Complications while removing implants are quite common. In rare cases screw shanks must be left in situ. We present a case of a 38-year-old patient who was treated using a palmar locking plate for a distal radius fracture. After implant removal, one of the screw shanks left in situ penetrated the dorsal cortex of the distal radius into the third extensor tendon compartment and led to irritation of the extensor pollicis longus tendon. We report the unexpected complication and analysis of possible errors of this case to avoid this kind of complication.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

References

  1. Arora R, Lutz M, Hennerbichler A et al (2007) Complications followingp internal fixation of unstable distal radius fracture with a palmar locking-plate. J Orthop Trauma 21(5):316–322

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Hattori Y, Doi K, Sakamoto S et al (2008) Delayed rupture of extensor digitorum communis tendon following volar plating of distal radius fracture. Hand Surg 13(3):183–185

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Benson EC, DeCarvalho A, Mikola EA et al (2006) Two potential causes of EPL rupture after distal radius volar plate fixation. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 451:218–222

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Björkman A, Jörgsholm P (2004) Rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon: a study of aetiological factors. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg 38(1):32–35

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Rozental TD, Blazar PE (2006) Functional outcome and complications after volar plating for dorsally displaced, unstable fractures of the distal radius. J Hand Surg Am 31(3):359–365

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Ehlinger M, Adam P, Simon P et al (2009) Technical difficulties in hardware removal in titanium compression plates with locking screws. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 95(5):373–376

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Bae JH, Oh JK, Oh CW et al (2009) Technical difficulties of removal of locking screw after locking compression plating. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 129(1):91–95

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Hamilton P, Doig S, Williamson O (2004) Technical difficulty of metal removal after LISS plating. Injury 35:626–628

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Marsh JL, Slongo TF, Agel J et al (2007) Fracture and dislocation classification compendium. J Orthop Trauma 21(10 Suppl.):S1–S133

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Orbay JL (2000) The treatment of unstable distal radius fractures with volar fixation. Hand Surg 5(2):103–112

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kirchhoff C, Braunstein, Kirchhoff S et al (2008) Outcome analysis following removal of locking plate fixation of the proximal humerus. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 12(9):138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Jupiter JB, Fernandez DL, Toh CL (1996) The operative management of volar articular fractures of the distal end of the radius. J Bone Joint Surg Am 78:1817–1828

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. McQueen M, Caspers J (1988) Colles fracture: does the anatomical result affect the final function? J Bone Joint Surg Am 70:649–651

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Georgiadis GM, Gove NK, Smith AD et al (2004) Removal of the less invasive stabilization system. J Orthop Trauma 18:562–564

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Pichler W, Grechenig W, Clement H et al (2009) Perforation of the third extensor compartment by the drill bit during palmar plating of the distal radius. J Hand Surg Eur Vol 34(3):333–335

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma Surgery and Sports Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Luzian C. P. Haug, Christian Deml, Michael Blauth & Rohit Arora

Authors
  1. Luzian C. P. Haug
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Christian Deml
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michael Blauth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Rohit Arora
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luzian C. P. Haug.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Haug, L.C.P., Deml, C., Blauth, M. et al. Dorsal screw penetration following implant removal after volar locked plating of distal radius fracture. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 131, 1279–1282 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-011-1300-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-011-1300-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation