Remodelling After Distal Forearm Fractures in Children II: The Final Orientation of the Distal and Proximal Epiphyseal Plates of the Radius

Abstract

In 39 children the steric orientation of both the distal and the proximal epiphyseal plates of the radius was evaluated 4 months to 10 years after distal forearm fractures that had healed with residual angulation. A residual fracture angulation was found to induce a change in orientation of both the distal and proximal epiphyseal plates. The final result of the reorientation was a normalization of the inclination of the plates in relation to the long axis of the bone. The proximal epiphyseal plate attained practically a normal orientation. The distal epiphyseal plate tended towards overcorrection. In two of the four cases with a primary angulation exceeding 20 degrees considerable normalization occurred, but a “normal” state was not reached. This indicates an upper limit for angulations permitting normalization of the orientation of the distal epiphyseal plate of the radius.