[Reorientation of the distal radial articular surface in Madelung's deformity by a reversed cuneiform osteotomy]

A technique of cuneiform osteotomy of the distal end of the radius is presented. It was used in three female patients with Madelung's deformity (two bilateral cases and one unilateral case). A wedge of bone was harvested in situ from the metaphysis, then returned and replaced in situ. This technique, performed through the Henry's approach, combines closing wedge osteotomy on the longer radial cortices with opening wedge osteotomy on the shorter radial cortices. The biplane osteotomy, which provides the bony wedge, involves the entire width of the metaphysis and is performed with an oscillating saw. Once the wedge is reversed and replaced, stabilization is obtained with an anterior plate. In all five cases the forward subluxation of the carpus was reduced as well as the distal radioulnar dislocation through the backward projection of the epiphysis. The reversed cuneiform osteotomy brings new possibilities of reorienting the radial articular surface and its technical mastery allows for accurate correction of severe deformities.