Growth arrest following physeal injury may result in severe limb deformity. We report a case of complex wrist deformity caused
by injury to the distal radial physis resulting in radial shortening and abnormal inclination of the radial articular surface,
which was successfully treated by gradual correction after computer simulation. The simulation enabled us to develop an appropriate
operative plan by accurately calculating the axis of the three-dimensional (3D) deformity using computer bone models. In the
simulative surgery with a full-size stereolithography bone model, an Ilizarov external fixator was applied to the radius such
that its two hinges were located on the virtual axis of the deformity, which was reproduced in the actual surgery. This technique
of 3D computer simulation is a useful alternative to plan accurate correction of complex limb deformities following growth
arrest.
Keywords Computer simulation - Deformity correction - Gradual lengthening - Physeal arrest - Distal radius