ePrints

Catastrophic osteomyelitis following percutaneous wire fixation of a distal radial fracture: a cautionary tale of poor patient selection followed by surgical mishap

Lookup NU author(s): Martin Marsh, Andrew Gray

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

We present a case of distal radius fracture. Several sequential unfortunate events resulted in a poor outcome. The patient was poorly selected because the degree of early dementia was not fully appreciated, due to intermittent periods of lucidity. Having elected to treat this distal radius fracture with Kirschner wires, a wire snapped during the procedure and was deemed safe to leave within the medullary cavity. Subsequently, the patient was left in a cast for 4 weeks without regular pin site inspection. When the cast was removed a gross osteomyelitis had developed. This series of events, led to unnecessary morbidity and extended the immobilisation time with reduced wrist function. This case highlights the importance of careful patient selection, surgical tactics and continuity of care.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Shields DW, Elson DW, Marsh M, Gray AC

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: BMJ Case Reports

Year: 2013

Volume: 2013

ISSN (print): 1757-790X

Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group

URL: https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2012-008425

DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2012-008425

PubMed id: 23355597

Altmetrics

Share