Fracture of the distal radial epiphysis. Characteristics and surgical treatment of premature, post-traumatic epiphyseal closure.

Wrist deformities developed in ten children secondary to injury of the growth plate and premature closure of the distal radial epiphysis. Premature closure of the growth plate followed epiphyseal compression injuries or repeated forceful attempts at reduction. These injuries should not require repeated reductions in children with epiphyseal remodeling potential of more than two years if the initial reduction achieves apposition of more than 50%. Gross deformity develops if the discrepancy between radial and ulnar lengths is more than 4 mm. Ulnar shortening and correction of the radiocarpal angle, as required, constitute the surgical treatment of choice for growth deformity.