Locking Screw Migration to the Palm Four Years Following Surgical Implantation of Distal Radius Locking Plate

Abstract

Hardware-related complications are rare in patients with distal radius fractures who were surgically fixed with volar-locking plates. In this report, we present a case of locking screw loosening and migration to the palm four years following the treatment of type 23-C1 distal radius fracture with a volar locking-plate. This complication occurred without evidence of trauma, infection, non-union or plate breakage. Orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of such rare complication and add it to the list of potential postoperative complications when counseling their patients preoperatively.