Figure 1360603x

Figure Legend: Example of inadequate fixation.  This patient underwent open reduction and internal fixation of a displaced both bone forearm fracture (1). Technical errors by the first surgeon include use of semitubular plates, which have inadequate rigidity for this type of fracture, and failure to achieve purchase of at least four cortices on each side of the fracture (2).  Each of these errors increase the chance of nonunion.  This patient developed nonunion with progressive angulation of the radius (3) which required repeat fixation with bone graft and compression plates (4).
 
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