Bundle nailing in nonunion of the distal radius: case report.

A previously unreported technique for dealing with severe distal radial nonunion in the presence of marked osteoporosis and deformity in a 65-year-old female is presented. The technique involves temporary ankylosis of the wrist with bundle nails connecting the second and third metacarpal with the distal and proximal fragment of the radius, dorsal to the carpal bones and joints. Union was achieved radiographically after nine months. When the bundle nails were removed, there was some recovery of wrist movement and useful function.