Biomechanical Evaluation of Volar Locking Plates for Distal Radius Fractures

Purpose Fixed-angle devices have been a major advancement in orthopedic fracture care and have become an attractive option for fixation of distal radius fractures. Several volar locking plates exist, but there is insufficient literature comparing the strengths of these plates. This study compares the biomechanical strength of two popular volar locking plate systems (Synthes LCP and Hand Innovations DVR-A) along with a nonlocking volar T-plate (Synthes). Methods Twenty-three formalin-fixed cadaveric forearms were divided into three groups with similar ages and bone densities. An unstable extra-articular fracture was created using a standardized osteotomy. Each group was fixed with one of the three plates. Each specimen was loaded in axial compression for 2000 cycles at a force of 400 N. Each specimen that completed cyclic testing was loaded to failure. Stiffness, yield point, and ultimate strength were recorded for each construct. Results Each fixed-angle construct completed all 2000 cycles. The nonlocking plates failed at an average of 560 cycles. The mean stiffness of the DVR-A, LCP, and the volar T-plates were 277.00, 343.17, and 175.67 N/mm, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between both fixed-angle plates and the nonlocking plate (p < 0.05). The difference between each fixed-angle construct did not reach significance. Yield point and ultimate strength could only be determined for the two fixed-angle devices. There was no statistically significant difference between the constructs for both yield point (DVR-A = 855.56 N, LCP = 894.15 N) and ultimate strength (DVR-A = 1,021.97 N, LCP = 1,114.87 N). Conclusions Given our data, fixed-angle constructs withstand cyclical loading representing normal physiologic forces encountered during post-operative rehabilitation. There was no significant biomechanical difference between the two fixed-angle constructs. Our results support that volar fixed-angle locking plates are an effective treatment for unstable extra-articular distal radius fractures, allowing early postoperative rehabilitation to safely be initiated.     

Distal Radius Fractures

Abstract During the last years there have been considerable changes in the assessment and management of distal radius fractures. In many patients, conservative treatment has shown poor functional results, despite satisfactory radiologic findings. This is due to a remarkably high number of concomitant carpal lesions occurring together with distal intraarticular radius fractures. Using wrist arthroscopy in the acute management of these fractures, the intraarticular fracture pattern can be exactly evaluated and concomitant carpal lesions like tears of the intrinsic ligaments of the proximal carpal row, lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex and free intraarticular bodies can be diagnosed and treated at the same sitting.     

Intramedullary Screw Fixation Versus Traditional Plating for Distal Fibula Fractures

The traditional method of treating fibular fractures in unstable ankle injuries involves open reduction and internal fixation with a plate and screw construct. Less invasive percutaneous fixation techniques with intramedullary fibular screws have been utilized for many years to reduce wound and implant complications while maintaining a stable ankle mortise. However, there have been no direct case-control studies comparing percutaneous intramedullary fibular screw fixation to the traditional open reduction and internal fixation with plates and screws. In our study, we compared radiographic and clinical outcomes for unstable ankle fractures in which the fibula fracture was treated with either a percutaneous intramedullary screw or by open reduction and internal fixation with a plate and screw construct. We retrospectively reviewed 69 consecutive patients from 2011 to 2019 with unstable ankle fractures treated with intramedullary fibular screws and compared them to 216 case-control patients treated with traditional plate and screw construct over the same time period. The average follow-up for the intramedullary screw group was 11.5 months and 15.2 months for the plate and screw group. We collected general demographic data, measured intraoperative and final follow-up talocrural angles, Kellgren-Lawrence osteoarthritis grade, union rates, implant removal rates, infection rates, and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scores. The intramedullary screw group had a statistically significant lower rate of delayed implant removal (8.7% vs 23.6%) and there was no detectable difference in other measures.     

掌侧锁定加压钢板治疗桡骨远端不稳定骨折的回顾性研究

目的回顾性研究掌侧锁定加压钢板(LCP)固定治疗不稳定、背侧移位桡骨远端骨折的临床效果。方法利用掌侧LCP治疗不稳定、背侧移位桡骨远端骨折55例,允许患者手术后活动腕关节。分别在手术后的第5周、3个月、6个月、1年后进行随访。术前术后标准腕关节正侧位X线片测量掌倾角、尺倾角、径向长度、尺骨差异、关节面落差。采用改良Gartland和Werley评分标准评定腕关节功能恢复情况,进行统计学分析,并采用上肢功能评定表问卷调查。结果经摄X线片复查显示,本组患者术后1年桡骨径向差异平均9mm,平均掌倾角22°,尺倾角平均1°,关节面平均落差0mm。通过1年的随访,根据系统的Gartland和Werley评分为100%,腕关节活动度良好,上肢功能评定表评分平均为6分,显示了患者高度的满意度。无感染病例以及复杂区域疼痛综合征、肌腱断裂、肌腱炎、神经损伤或内固定失败等。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。