Post-traumatic radioulnar synostosis in distal forearm following external fixation : a case report and review of the literature

Post-traumatic radioulnar synostosis is a rare complication of forearm or elbow injury that can have debilitating consequences. Risk factors include aspects of the initial trauma and the surgical management of that trauma. Surgical intervention for synostosis is the standard of care and is determined by the location of the bony bridge. In adults, it is an uncommon complication of distal radius fracture treated with external fixation. A 58-year-old woman sustained a distal radius fracture that was treated with external fixation. She subsequently developed radioulnar synostosis of the distal forearm. The synostosis was successfully removed and she regained significant forearm rotation after 6 months of postoperative rehabilitation