A typical approach is radiovolar. Healing of the osteotomy will take anywhere from 6 to 16 weeks, no resistance or loading is allowed until healed completely. Immobilization varies somewhat according to surgeon preference, but generally a sugar tong splint (splint/cast with bulky dressing that allows for swelling) for 7 to 10 days and then either a cast or splint (or some combination thereof) for the remainder. As for scarring, it is not unusual for adhesions to form along the plate and tendons. PT can help in this respect, but many on the list report having the plate removed.

Barring complications (ie nonunion, plate discomfort), the osteotomy site should not bother you much once it is healed. Generally speaking, your hand will be fairly dextrous before being declared officially healed, but it is important to apply no resistance or load bearing. Without factoring in underlying disease, your hand and arm should function well in 4 to 6 months, but it could be as long as a year.

Reportedly one of the benefits of the volar approach is that it decreases the likelihood of having to have the plate removed. List experiences seem to be mixed, some have had the plate removed due to discomfort, others report little to no problems. Removal is straightforward, the same incision is used, the hardware removed, the area irrigated and closed. The arm must be protected against load bearing for a period of time as the holes left from the screws will weaken the radius until they "heal."

Contributed by Phyllis Walker