Description
This presentation, led by Braden Gammon, revolves around the topic of joint preservation in the context of radiocarpal arthritis. The talk specifically focuses on the clinical case of a 14-year-old girl who suffered a skateboard accident resulting in a significant wrist injury, leading to a displaced fracture of both the distal radius and ulna. Over time, her condition reveals complications such as increased ulnar variance and eventual premature growth plate closure at the distal radius.
As she matures, nonoperative treatments are initially pursued, but her persistent pain leads to a need for surgical intervention in the form of an ulnar shortening osteotomy. Her post-operative recovery is initially successful, but later she develops new pain symptoms attributed to arthritic changes at the scaphoid-lunate junction, ultimately necessitating more advanced surgical options to address her deteriorating wrist function.
The presentation details the innovative use of osteochondral transfer surgery techniques, including both tibia-fibula grafting and a hemi-hamate transfer, showcasing both the anatomical and functional rationale for choosing these methods. Through a mix of clinical insights and patient outcomes, the discussion underscores the importance of biomechanical restoration in young patients with radiocarpal arthritis.