External Fixation Versus Volar Locking Plate for Unstable Dorsally Displaced Distal Radius Fractures—A 3-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Study

Background: This study aimed to identify the effect of the progression of postoperative wrist osteoarthritis on 5 years clinical and radiological outcomes after volar locking plate fixation of distal radius fractures. Methods: Altogether, 56 patients with distal radius fractures were followed up 5 years after surgery. Clinical assessment was performed using the Mayo modified wrist score, a visual analogue scale of pain, the Japanese version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, and Patient-related wrist evaluation. Standardized wrist radiographs were used to assess wrist morphology and the Knirk and Jupiter’s degree of osteoarthritis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze postoperative morphological changes in the wrist and carpal alignment regarding their correlation with progression of wrist osteoarthritis. Results: Progression of postoperative wrist osteoarthritis was recognized in 37 of the 56 cases (66.1%). Compared with the clinical outcomes at the time of the fracture union completion, almost clinical outcomes improved up to 5 years follow-up time as well as at 1 year after surgery. The range of wrist flexion at 5 years follow-up was significantly less in the progressive osteoarthritis group than in those with non-progressive osteoarthritis. The persistent step-off immediately after surgery significantly affected the postoperative progression of wrist osteoarthritis. Changes in the radial inclination, volar tilt, and radioscaphoid angle correlated with progression of wrist osteoarthritis. The highest correlation was with the change of radioscaphoid angle. Conclusions: Good clinical results were maintained at 5 years after surgery, but progression of postoperative wrist osteoarthritis interfered with improvement of wrist flexion. Change in the radioscaphoid angle was the factor that was most highly correlated with progression of postoperative wrist osteoarthritis.

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Fragment-Specific Fixation Versus Volar Locking Plates in Primarily Nonreducible or Secondarily Redisplaced Distal Radius Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Study

The Journal Of Hand Surgery ◽

10.1016/j.jhsa.2016.12.001 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 42 (3) ◽

pp. 156-165.e1 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Marcus Landgren ◽

Antonio Abramo ◽

Mats Geijer ◽

Philippe Kopylov ◽

Magnus Tägil

Keyword(s):

Distal Radius ◽

Distal Radius Fractures ◽

Randomized Controlled Study ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Locking Plates ◽

Radius Fractures ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Specific Fixation

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Volar Locking Plate or External Fixation With Optional Addition of K-Wires for Dorsally Displaced Distal Radius Fractures

Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma ◽

10.1097/bot.0000000000000519 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 217-224 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Cecilia Mellstrand Navarro ◽

Leif Ahrengart ◽

Hans Törnqvist ◽

Sari Ponzer

Keyword(s):

External Fixation ◽

Distal Radius ◽

Locking Plate ◽

Distal Radius Fractures ◽

Volar Locking Plate ◽

Radius Fractures ◽

K Wires

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Volar Locking Plating for the Intra- and Extra-articular Distal Radius Fractures With Dorsal Metaphyseal Comminution

10.21203/rs.3.rs-564409/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xue-yang Gui ◽

Zhao-hui Cheng ◽

Hongfei Shi ◽

Yi-xin Chen ◽

Jin Xiong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Distal Radius ◽

Locking Plate ◽

Plate Fixation ◽

Distal Radius Fractures ◽

Volar Locking Plate ◽

Radius Fractures ◽

Locking Plate Fixation ◽

Articular Fractures ◽

Metaphyseal Comminution

Abstract Background: Volar locking plating remains a popular method for the surgical management of distal radius fractures. Dorsal metaphyseal comminution (DMC) is a common fracture pattern which weakens the stability during fracture fixation. In this study, we aimed to compare the radiographic and functional outcome of the intra- and extra-articular distal radius fractures with DMC following volar locking plate fixation.Materials and methods: Patients suffered from a distal radius fracture with DMC were reviewed in the clinical database of the authors’ institution between Jan 2016 and Jan 2020. The included patients were classified into the extra-articular (A3) group or the intra-articular (C2 and C3) group according to the AO/OTA system. The radiological parameters, wrist range of motion, and functional outcomes were evaluated following open reduction and volar locking plate fixation.Results: A total of 130 patients were included in this study with a mean follow-up length of 17.2 months. Compared with the A3 fracture group, no significant fracture re-displacement or reduced wrist ROMs was observed in the C2 fractures after 12-month’s follow-up. However, significantly decreased volar tilt (P = 0.003) as well as the extension/flexion ROMs were observed in the C3 fractures comparing to the A3 fractures. Most of the patients achieved an excellent (n = 75) or good (n = 51) Gartland and Werley wrist score. Four patients with C3 fractures resulted in a fair functional outcome due to a significant loss of volar tilt during follow-up.Conclusions: The volar locking plate fixation provided sufficient stability for distal radius fractures with DMC, and resulted in similar radiological and functional outcomes in the intra-articular distal radius fractures with a simple articular component (C2 fractures) as those in the extra-articular fractures. Considering the intra-articular fractures with multifragmentary articular component (C3 fracture), despite of the subsequent loss of volar tilt, the majority of the patients achieved good to excellent wrist function following volar locking plating.Trial registration: Not applicable because the design of the study is retrospective.

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