Locked volar plating for unstable distal radial fractures: Clinical and radiological outcomes

We studied 40 patients treated with locked volar plates for unstable distal radial fractures. Outcome was assessed at a mean of 59 weeks, both radiologically and functionally using the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, range of motion and grip strength.The complication rate in our series was 48%. In 11 cases, screw penetration into the radiocarpal joint occurred as a consequence of postoperative collapse. Of these, 25% had malunited and 12.5% ruptured their extensor pollicus longus (EPL) tendon. Functionally, when compared with the contralateral side, 74% of extension, 67% of flexion, 91% of pronation and supination and 81% of grip strength were regained. The mean DASH score was 23.Although locked volar plates can achieve good results in the management of unstable distal radial fractures, there remains a high major complication rate. They should be used with caution particularly in fractures with significant metaphyseal comminution.     

Early complications of volar plating of distal radius fractures and their relationship to surgeon experience

Background  

Fractures of the distal radius are among the most common fractures in adults. Recently, there has been a trend towards open reduction and internal fixation of these fractures through a volar approach. The purpose of this study was to assess the early complications of volar locking plate fixation of distal radius fractures with an emphasis on defining the relationship between surgeon experience and incidence of complications.     

掌侧锁定接骨板治疗背侧移位桡骨远端骨折术后软组织并发症原因分析

目的：探讨背侧移位桡骨远端骨折(distal radius fracture,DRF)患者行掌侧锁定接骨板手术后发生软组织并发症的原因。方法：自2016年7月至2021年5月,采用掌侧锁定接骨板手术治疗112例背侧移位DRF患者,其中男45例,女67例;年龄18~85(46.24±10.08)岁。根据术后是否出现软组织并发症,分为并发症组(40例)和无并发症组(72例)。与术前相比,术后患者的桡骨掌倾角和尺偏角、腕关节屈曲活动度和背伸活动度、握力均显著改善(P<0.05)。与无并发症组相比,并发症组年龄>60岁、身体质量指数(body mass index,BMI) ≥ 30 kg·m^-2、吸烟、糖尿病、骨折C型、开放性骨折以及手术时间 ≥ 90 min的患者比例均更高(P<0.05)。通过多因素Logistic回归分析年龄、BMI、吸烟、糖尿病、骨折AO分型、骨折类型以及手术时间,以确定影响患者术后软组织并发症发生的独立危险因素,建立列线图预测模型,并进行模型评价。结果：末次随访,腕关节功能恢复优良率为83.93%(94/112),骨折复位优良率为84.82%(95/112)。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄>60岁、糖尿病、骨折C型、开放性骨折以及手术时间 ≥ 90 min,均为患者术后软组织并发症发生的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。列线图预测模型的受试者工作特征曲线(receiver operating characteristic,ROC)、校准曲线和临床决策曲线显示其区分度、准确性和有效性均较好。结论：年龄>60岁、糖尿病、骨折C型、开放性骨折以及手术时间 ≥ 90 min,均为DRF掌侧钢板固定术后软组织并发症发生的独立危险因素。在临床治疗中,对该类患者应做好围手术期软组织管理,预防并发症的发生。     

Scapholunate instability after distal radius volar plating

Background

Prior to volar locked plating and early motion protocols, ligamentous injuries incidentally associated with distal radius fractures may have been indirectly treated with immobilization. Our goal was to determine the prevalence of scapholunate instability in our population, while identifying those who may have had progression of instability.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 221 distal radius fractures treated with a volar locking plate during a 6-year period. Average patient age was 59 years. Standard posteroanterior and lateral radiographs from the first and last postoperative visits were analyzed for scapholunate instability, using the criteria of scapholunate gap ≥3 mm and scapholunate angle ≥60°.

Results

Six patients (3 %) met neither or only one criterion for instability at the first postoperative visit and did not have ligament repair and then went on to meet both criteria at the last postoperative visit after an early motion protocol. Seven patients (3 %) met both criteria at the first and last postoperative visits and did not have ligament repair. Five patients (2 %) underwent primary scapholunate ligament repair at the time of distal radius fixation.

Conclusions

In our representative population, scapholunate instability was uncommon, either from initial injury or possible progression of occult ligament injury, despite early motion without operative treatment of the ligament. Thus, we did not find strong evidence for routinely delaying motion or pursuing further workup. When early radiographs clearly demonstrate acute scapholunate instability, more aggressive treatment may be appropriate for selected patients.     

掌侧入路斜T形钢板内固定治疗桡骨远端不稳定骨折

目的探讨掌侧入路斜T形钢板治疗桡骨远端不稳定骨折的临床疗效。方法对25例桡骨远端不稳定骨折采用掌侧入路斜T形钢板内固定并植骨治疗。结果 25例均获得随访,时间6～18个月。X线片显示骨折全部愈合。根据Gartland-Wefley腕关节评分标准进行评估:优18例,良5例,可2例。结论对于桡骨远端不稳定骨折,采用掌侧入路斜T形钢板内固定辅以植骨,既能使骨折复位、固定满意,又有利于术后早期手和腕部的功能康复锻炼,是治疗不稳定性桡骨远端骨折的有效方法。     

掌侧钢板固定治疗不稳定的背侧移位桡骨远端骨折

[目的]初步探讨掌侧钢板（locking compression plate，LCP）固定治疗不稳定、背侧移位桡骨远端骨折的方法及其效果。[方法]回顾性分析掌侧LCP结合克氏针撬拨、植骨等技术治疗不稳定、背侧移位桡骨远端骨折35例，比较研究手术前后掌倾角、尺偏角、桡骨短缩及关节活动范围等，初步评价其临床疗效。[结果]经随访9-24个月（平均17个月），掌倾角、尺偏角、桡骨短缩均获明显改善，腕关节功能按Sarmiento标准评定，优20例、良12例、可2例、差1例。[结论]对不稳定、背侧移位桡骨远端骨折，掌侧LCP是一种安全有效的治疗方法，可有效防止复位丢失、减少结构性植骨、避免肌腱激惹等并发症。     

Flexor tendon injuries following locked volar plating of distal radius fractures

We present 2 cases showing that flexor pollicis longus and flexor digitorum profundus index injury can occur after placement of 2 commonly used locked volar plates. In contrast with the literature, the radii healed in an anatomic position without plate lift-off. The patients presented 6 and 8 months after surgery with new onset of radial wrist pain and tenderness at the site of the plate and absence or weakness of the flexor pollicis longus. In both cases, the plate was positioned anterior to the distal radial rim on the lateral radiograph. We suggest close follow-up of all fractures in which the distal end of the plate is anterior to the radial rim and removal of hardware if symptoms suggest tendon irritation.     

Volar versus dorsal plating in the management of intra-articular distal radius fractures

PURPOSE: To compare the complications and functional and radiographic outcomes of volar and dorsal plating of intra-articular distal radius fractures. METHODS: This retrospective review included 34 patients found by searching a database of 350 patients treated for distal radius fractures. Inclusion criteria were (1) at least 1 year of follow-up data and (2) open reduction and internal fixation of a multifragmentary fragment intra-articular distal radius fracture with either a nonlocking volar or dorsal plate. Twenty patients were treated with a dorsal plate and 14 patients were treated with a volar nonlocking plate. Objective and subjective outcome parameters were compared between the 2 groups. Objective evaluations included wrist range of motion, grip strength, and preoperative and postoperative radiographic parameters (radial inclination, palmar tilt, ulnar variance, fracture pattern). Subjective evaluations were performed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire score and the Gartland and Werley score. RESULTS: Volar plating resulted in a significantly better Gartland-Werley score compared with dorsal plating. There were no significant differences in the DASH score.Volar collapse was documented in 5 of the 20 patients in the dorsal plating group, which resulted in a mild loss of pronation compared with the volar plating group. No collapse occurred in the volar plating group. In addition the difference in the percentage of wrist range of motion compared with the contralateral wrist was not significant. Dorsal plating was associated with a ruptured extensor indicis tendon in 1 patient; secondary surgical procedures were required in 4 patients (tenolyses and radial styloidectomy). Volar plating was associated with median nerve neuropathy in 2 patients and intersection syndrome in one. CONCLUSIONS: Although both groups of patients had similar DASH scores the functional outcome in terms of Gartland and Werley scores was better in the volar plating group. In addition there was a higher rate of volar collapse and late complications in the dorsal plating group compared with the volar plating group. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level III.     

掌侧与背侧钢板固定关节外桡骨远端背侧粉碎性骨折的生物力学研究

目的 探讨掌侧与背侧钢板固定桡骨远端背侧粉碎性骨折时的抗压缩、抗扭转差异性.方法 将12侧新鲜成人尸体桡骨标本制成桡骨远端背侧粉碎性骨折模型,随机分为2个大组,分别进行掌侧与背侧钢板螺钉固定;再将每个大组分为2个亚组,分别进行轴向压缩试验和水平扭转试验.检测指标:轴向压缩强度、轴向压缩刚度、水平扭转强度和水平扭转刚度.结果 在轴向压缩试验中,掌、背侧两组之间轴向压缩强度差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),背侧组大于掌侧组;在生理压缩载荷下,掌、背侧两组刚度值差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),背侧组高于掌侧组.在水平扭转试验中,两组水平扭转强度与扭转刚度差异都没有统计学意义,但数据显示,掌侧组都略强于背侧组.结论 在抗压缩方面,两组的压缩强度以及压缩刚度差异均有统计学意义,背侧组要优于掌侧组;而在抗旋转方面,两组的扭转强度与扭转刚度差异均无统计学意义,但掌侧组在数据上均稍大于背侧组.     

Palmar plating for dorsally displaced fractures of the distal radius

Extensor tendon rupture and irritation caused by implants or surgical intervention are serious complications in the treatment of fracture of the distal radius when a dorsal approach is used. To prevent complications, the dorsally displaced fracture of the distal radius was treated using a palmar approach. The subjects were 18 men and 15 women with a mean age of 54 years at the time of the injury (range, 23-75 years). All the patients had internal fixation with a plate and screws using the palmar approach. Union was achieved in all patients. Radiographic parameters, including the palmar tilt, radial inclination, radial length, and ulnar variance have been maintained since the operation. According to the rating scale of Gartland and Werley, there were 12 excellent, 20 good, and one fair result. There were no extensor tendon injuries that occurred during use of the palmar approach in this small series of patients. Palmar plating can be safe and effective for treatment of a dorsally displaced fracture of the distal radius.     

Surgical correction of dorsally angulated distal radius malunions with fixed angle volar plating: a case series

PURPOSE: To report our experience using a fixed-angle volar plate in conjunction with a corrective osteotomy and cancellous bone graft for the treatment of distal radius malunions with dorsal angulation in 4 patients. METHODS: Four consecutive patients had a volarly based opening wedge osteotomy with a fixed angle volar plate and cancellous bone grafting for the treatment of a dorsally angulated distal radius malunion. Data collected retrospectively included a visual analog pain scale, grip strength, range of motion, radiographic parameters, and each patient's subjective functional outcomes as measured by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire. Motion, strength, and radiographic values were compared with the contralateral arm for each patient. RESULTS: The average time from initial fracture to corrective osteotomy was 346 days. The average length of follow-up evaluation was 13.5 months. The flexion-extension arc of motion increased an average of 21 degrees to a value of 84% of the contralateral side; the pronation-supination arc of motion increased an average of 20 degrees to a value of 98% of the contralateral side. The average tilt of the radius improved from 26 degrees extension to 2 degrees extension; the average radial inclination improved from 22 degrees to 24 degrees; the average ulnar variance excluding the 1 patient who had a distal ulna resection improved from 5 mm to 1 mm. The average retrospective Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score improved from 30 to 7; the average retrospective visual analog pain scale score improved from 4.5 to 1. The average grip strength increased from 20 to 29 kg, which corresponded to 73% of the contralateral extremity. CONCLUSIONS: The rigid characteristics of fixed angle volar plates can provide an alternative to the traditional techniques of distal radius osteotomy including structural bone grafting and dorsal plate fixation or external fixation. In addition these plates are strong enough to allow for early postoperative motion. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level IV.     

Outcome following distally locked volar plating for distal radius fractures with metadiaphyseal involvement

BackgroundThe surgical treatment of metadiaphyseal distal radius fractures may be difficult due to the associated articular or periarticular extension that limits standard fixation techniques. Longer distal radius volar locking plates allow stable fixation of the distal fragments while providing standard plate fixation in the proximal radius. We hypothesize that this plating technique allows adequate fixation to both the distal radius and metadiaphyseal fragments. The purpose of the study is to describe the outcomes, radiographic parameters, secondary surgeries, and complication rate with this device.MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted on adult patients with a distal radius fracture and metadiaphyseal involvement treated with a volar, distally locked plate. All patients were followed up for radiographic union, with a mean time of 219 days (range 38–575). Fracture patterns, outcomes of range of motion, grip strength, and complications, as well as injury, post open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and finally, healed radiographic parameters were recorded.ResultsTwenty patients with 21 fractures were included. At union, mean radiographic parameters were the following: volar tilt of 8°, radial inclination of 27°, radial height of 14 mm, and ulnar variance of −1 mm. The mean final range of motion was 52° flexion, 50° extension, 68° pronation, and 66° supination. Complications included one infection and one plate removal. Four patients developed a nonunion requiring secondary procedures. There were no incidents of hardware failure or adhesions requiring tenolysis.ConclusionDistally locked long volar plating for metadiaphyseal distal radius fractures is a safe and effective treatment option for these complex fracture patterns allowing anatomic restoration of the radial shaft and distal radius.