Abstract
Background Several types of fixation materials may be used for the radial styloid fractures
such as Kirschner wire fixation, screw fixation, volar plate fixation, and fragment-specific
radial buttress plate fixation. However, each of these fixation techniques has certain
complications usually related to either the surgical dissection or the application
of fixation and symptomatic permanent hardware. Implant removal secondary to irritation
of prominent screw heads or bulky plates is not uncommon after radial styloid fracture
fixation.
Case Description Herein, two patients with an isolated radial styloid fracture who were treated with
bioabsorbable magnesium (alloy: MgYREZr) screws are presented. In both patients, the
fracture union was achieved without any complication and need for implant removal.
Literature Review This is the first report on the use of magnesium screws for this indication.
Clinical Relevance Magnesium bioabsorbable compression screw fixation may be an alternative solution
that eliminates removal operations due to symptomatic hardware in radial styloid fractures.
Keywords
magnesium - bioabsorbable - screw - biomaterial - distal radius fracture - radial
styloid fracture
