Magnesium Bioabsorbable Screw Fixation of Radial Styloid Fractures: Case Report

Background Several types of fixation materials may be used for the radial styloid fractures such as Kirschner wire fixation, screw fixation, volar plate fixation, and fragment-specific radial buttress plate fixation. However, each of these fixation techniques has certain complications usually related to either the surgical dissection or the application of fixation and symptomatic permanent hardware. Implant removal secondary to irritation of prominent screw heads or bulky plates is not uncommon after radial styloid fracture fixation. Case Description Herein, two patients with an isolated radial styloid fracture who were treated with bioabsorbable magnesium (alloy: MgYREZr) screws are presented. In both patients, the fracture union was achieved without any complication and need for implant removal. Literature Review This is the first report on the use of magnesium screws for this indication. Clinical Relevance Magnesium bioabsorbable compression screw fixation may be an alternative solution that eliminates removal operations due to symptomatic hardware in radial styloid fractures.

NON-UNION OF AN UNDISPLACED RADIAL STYLOID FRACTURE IN A HEAVY SMOKER: REVISITING THE ASSOCIATION OF SMOKING AND BONE HEALING

Isolated radial styloid fractures occur relatively infrequently, with non-union of such fractures, especially when undisplaced, being highly unusual. Smoking of tobacco, a common habit which is decreasing in prevalence in the developed world, has been proven to exert many adverse effects on tissue healing including bone union. We present a case of non-union of an undisplaced radial styloid fracture in the dominant hand of a young and healthy heavy smoker, emphasising the negative impact of tobacco smoke and its association with bone repair. We suggest that heavy tobacco users should also be followed up more vigilantly with this complication in mind, with smoking cessation modalities being offered on presentation.

Palmar Perilunate Fracture-Dislocation of the Carpus

We report an uncommon palmar translunate, transhamate carpal fracture dislocation. CT-scans with three-dimensional reconstruction were most helpful for the assessment of the injury, which was treated operatively through a palmar approach. The lunate and hamate fractures were fixed using mini-screws and the radial styloid fracture and the scaphoid were reduced and stabilized with K-wires.

The Chauffeur’s Fracture: Simple or Complex?

14 chauffeur’s-type fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation, mainly with Herbert screws. At average follow-up of 18 months, all had good or excellent functional results. The presence of an associated carpal injury in four cases indicates that the mechanism of injury may not be one of simple “backfire” and that a radial styloid fracture may represent the first stage of a more complex pattern.