Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Following Corrective Osteotomy for Distal Radius Malunion: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: Although median nerve neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are known complications of both untreated and acutely treated distal radius fracture, median neuropathy after correction of distal radius malunion is not commonly reported in hand surgery literature. We describe a patient with severe CTS after corrective osteotomy, open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) with a volar locking plate (VLP), and bone grafting for distal radius malunion. Methods: We report a case of severe acute CTS as a complication of corrective osteotomy with bone grafting for distal radius malunion. Results: The patient was treated with surgical exploration of the median nerve and carpal tunnel release. Conclusion: The authors report a case of acute CTS after ORIF with VLP for a distal radius malunion warranting surgical exploration and carpal tunnel release. Treatment teams must be aware of this potential complication so that the threshold for reoperation is low and irreversible damage to the median nerve is prevented.