Volar Shear Fractures of the Distal Radius

Abstract

A 10-year-old right-hand-dominant female sustained a fall onto her left arm and presented with a closed left Salter Harris II fracture of her distal radius with a volar shear component. This fracture pattern is better defined in adult patients and almost always necessitates surgery in the adult population because of the inability to maintain reduction in a closed manner. An attempt at closed reduction was performed in this case; however, it did not achieve satisfactory alignment. Open reduction and pinning of the fracture was performed. Pins were removed in the office at 4 weeks, and at 8 weeks postoperatively, she had full range of motion of her wrist. At 18 months postoperatively, there was no radiographic or clinical signs of a physeal bar or growth arrest.