What Is a Malunited Fracture

A malunited fracture is a broken bone that has healed in an unsatisfactory position with angulation rotation shortening or joint surface mismatch This can occur when initial treatment was inadequate when a fracture redisplaced in a cast or when very complex injuries were difficult to align Malunion may lead to visible deformity weakness restricted range of motion altered joint loading and pain For example a distal radius fracture that heals with significant dorsal tilt can cause limited wrist movement reduced grip strength and early wrist arthritis

Principle of Corrective Osteotomy

Corrective osteotomy means recutting the healed bone in a planned way to restore its normal shape and alignment The surgeon analyses deformity in multiple planes using X rays and sometimes computed tomography and calculates how much angulation rotation or length must be corrected During surgery the bone is cut at or near the site of malunion repositioned to the ideal orientation and stabilised with plates and screws or other fixation devices When there is a bone gap after opening wedge correction or when joint surface needs to be rebuilt bone graft or synthetic bone substitute may be added to fill defects and support healing

Distal Radius Corrective Osteotomy

Malunited Colles type fractures of the distal radius are common indications for corrective surgery because deformity here significantly affects wrist mechanics Through palmar dorsal or combined approaches surgeons perform extra articular or intra articular osteotomies depending on whether the joint surface is involved Low profile locking plates on the palmar side have become widely used as they allow stable fixation and early motion Studies of such techniques show improvement in pain range of motion deformity correction and grip strength in most patients with low rates of non union or major complications when performed in experienced hands

Other Sites of Malunion

Corrective osteotomy is also used for malunited fractures of long bones in the arm and leg supracondylar region of the humerus in children and around the ankle and knee when joint axes are disturbed The guiding principles remain the same accurately identify the deformity plan cuts in three dimensions execute them precisely and stabilise the bone until union In children and adolescents some deformities can remodel over time but those that affect joint surfaces or cause major functional limitation often need earlier intervention

Rehabilitation and Long Term Outlook

After corrective osteotomy immobilisation and weight bearing restrictions depend on the bone involved and the stability of fixation Wrist osteotomies often allow early controlled motion in a splint while lower limb corrections may require limited weight bearing on crutches until healing is advanced Physiotherapy addresses stiffness muscle weakness and joint proprioception With successful correction and union patients commonly report better alignment pain relief and functional gains compared with living with the deformity

Why Choose Livasa Hospitals for Corrective Osteotomy

Livasa Hospitals provide deformity analysis digital planning and precise surgical execution for malunited fractures across various anatomical sites Access to modern fixation implants bone grafting options imaging and dedicated hand and limb therapy ensures that patients from Punjab receive reconstructive solutions aimed at restoring both appearance and function after poorly healed fractures

Livasa Hospitals Punjab Network Contact

Livasa Healthcare Group Network of Multi speciality Hospitals in Punjab
Corporate Office Phase 8 Industrial Area Sector 73 Punjab 160071 India