Routine use of locking shaft screws is not necessary in volar plate fixation of distal radius fractures

Hypothesis

Volar locking plate fixation is a common treatment method for distal radius fractures. Recently, implants have been designed with an option to use locking screws in the shaft portion of the plate. While there is a high incidence of low bone mineral density in patients who sustain fragility fractures of the distal radius, the need for locking shaft screws is not well defined. Our hypothesis is that the routine use of locking screws in the shaft portion of volar plates is not required to maintain reduction or to prevent hardware failure.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed in all patients over age 50 years who underwent volar plate fixation using an implant with non-locking shaft screws for a distal radius fracture during a 2-year period. Patients were permitted to perform early range of motion exercises. Radiographs were examined and measurements were obtained to assess maintenance of reduction and incidence of hardware failure. Patients were followed at least until fracture healing. Patients were excluded from analysis if locking shaft screws were utilized or if follow-up was inadequate.

Results

Forty-one patients met the inclusion criteria. The average age was 62 years (range 50–79). There were 12 men and 29 women. The implant used incorporated 3.5-mm shaft screws in 26 patients and 2.4-mm shaft screws in 15 patients. All patients healed within acceptable radiographic parameters (mean volar tilt = 4.9°, mean radial inclination = 21.7°, mean radial height = 11.6 mm). There were not any instances of hardware failure.

Discussion

Distal radius fractures frequently occur in patients with low bone mineral density. Non-locking, bicortically placed shaft screws provide adequate stability to allow for early range of motion without loss of reduction or hardware failure. The routine use of locking screws in the shaft portion of volar plates does not appear justified.     

Size and stabilization of the dorsoulnar fragment in AO C3-type distal radius fractures

IntroductionVolar locking plate (VLP) fixation has become the gold-standard treatment for distal radius fractures (DRFs). Especially, internal fixation of the volar lunate facet fragment is essential for the treatment of AO C3-type DRFs. On the other hand, the necessity of the fixation of the dorsal lunate facet fragment (dorsoulnar fragment) remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to measure three-dimensionally the size of the dorsoulnar fragments in AO C3-type DRFs using computed tomography (CT) images in detail, and to reveal relationships of the size and stabilization of the dorsoulnar fragment with postoperative fracture displacement after VLP fixation.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed the 101 consecutive Japanese patients who underwent surgical treatment for AO C3-type distal radius fractures. If patient had dorsoulnar fragment, the three-dimensional size of this fragment and the occupying ratio to the radiocarpal joint (RCJ) and the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) were anatomically evaluated using the preoperative CT images. In addition, we investigated the relationship of the size and stabilization of the dorsoulnar fragment with fracture displacement after VLP fixation. We statistically compared the size parameters and occupying ratio of the dorsoulnar fragment between the displaced group and the stable groups using a two-tailed t-test. We also statistically compared the numbers of screws inserted into the dorsoulnar fragments between the displaced and stable groups using a chi-square test.ResultsThe mean dorsoulnar fragment size was 9.4 mm × 7.9 mm × 11.0 mm and the occupying ratio to the DRUJ and RCJ was 50% and 10%, respectively. The number of patients treated with volar locking plate fixation was 77, of which 12 patients had postoperative displacements. Although the size of the dorsoulnar fragment was not associated with postoperative displacement, stabilization following screw insertion into the dorsoulnar fragment was significantly associated with displacement.ConclusionStabilization of the dorsoulnar fragment with at least one screw of the volar locking plate was necessary to prevent postoperative fracture displacement regardless of dorsoulnar fragment size in AO C3-type distal radius fractures.     

微创经皮掌侧植入锁定钢板治疗桡骨远端骨折效果观察

目的观察微创经皮掌侧植入锁定钢板治疗桡骨远端骨折的效果。方法选取天津市津南医院2017-01-2018-12间收治的82例桡骨远端骨折患者,随机分为2组,各41例。对照组应用外固定支架治疗,观察组使用微创经皮掌侧植入锁定钢板治疗。比较2组的疗效。结果 2组切口长度、手术时间、术中出血量及术后尺偏角、桡骨高度、VAS评分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。观察组术后掌倾角显著高于对照组,术后3个月的腕关节主动活动度、相对健侧握力、Mayo评分显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术后1 a,2组腕关节活动度、相对健侧握力及Mayo评分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论微创经皮掌侧植入锁定钢板治疗桡骨远端骨折的远期疗效与外固定支架疗效相当,但其更利于术后患者腕关节功能的早期恢复。     

A systematic review of volar locking plate removal after distal radius fracture

BackgroundIndication of volar locking plate (VLP) removal after bony healing of distal radius fracture (DRF) is controversial. Studies with various range of removal rate were reported. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the frequency and the reasons of hardware removal over the world. We hypothesized that more frequent VLP removal contribute to better clinical outcomes.MethodsThe authors searched all available literature in the PubMed and EMBASE databases for articles reporting on outcomes of treatment using VLP for DRF. Data collection included hardware removal rate, complication rate, clinical and radiological outcomes. We analyzed correlation between hardware removal rate with clinical and radiological outcomes.ResultsA total of 3472 articles were screened, yielding 52 studies for final review. The mean hardware removal rate was 9%, ranging from 0 to 100%. The mean removal rate in studies from France, Norway, Japan, and Belgium was as high as 19%. The mean removal rate in studies from the US was low (3%). The most frequent reasons for extraction were routine removal (22%), tendon irritation or tenosynovitis (14%), hardware problem (14%), and patient’ request (13%). Although routine removal and patient’ request were not counted as complication, correlation between removal rate with complication rate was strong (rho = 0.64, p < 0.001). Correlations between clinical and radiological outcomes were week except for volar tilt (rho = −0.42, p = 0.009).ConclusionsThere was a diversity of removal rate and reasons in the studies over the world. High frequent VLP removal did not contribute to better clinical outcomes.     

特殊透视方法在掌侧锁定钢板治疗桡骨远端骨折中的临床应用

目的：通过术中附加透视拍摄侧斜位X线片观察桡骨远端螺钉与腕关节面关系及腕背切线位X线片观察远端螺钉是否穿出背侧皮质,从而评价掌侧锁定钢板治疗桡骨远端骨折的临床疗效。方法：自2020年1月至2021年6月,手术采用掌侧Henry入路治疗新鲜桡骨远端骨折45例,其中男20例,女25例,年龄32～75(52.4±8.1)岁。术中根据不同透视方法分为两组：对照组20例,为单纯透视拍摄标准正侧位X线片;观察组25例,在透视拍摄标准正侧位X线片基础上附加透视拍摄侧斜位X线片及腕背切线位X线片。观察两组术后6周及3、 6个月腕关节功能评分和术后并发症发生情况。结果：45例患者均获得随访,时间为6～14(10.8±1.7)个月,患者切口愈合良好,均获得骨性愈合。观察组并发症发生率低于对照组（P<0.05）。腕关节功能Gartland-Werley评分,观察组术后6周（4.58±1.31）分、3个月（2.98±0.63）分、6个月（1.95±0.65）分,均优于对照组术后6周（6.32±1.96）分、3个月（3.63±0.76）分、6个月（2.43±0.73）分,差异具有统计学意义（P<0....     

单纯锁定钢板与钢板联合外固定架治疗桡骨远端复杂关节内骨折的疗效比较

目的比较单纯锁定钢板内固定和钢板内固定联合外固定架治疗桡骨远端复杂关节内骨折的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析自2010-01—2013-08行手术治疗的38例桡骨远端复杂关节内骨折。单纯采用锁定钢板内固定23例(单纯组),采用锁定钢板内固定联合外固定架治疗15例(联合组)。比较2组手术相关指标、影像学指标、腕关节功能评分。结果单纯组切口总长度短于联合组,联合组桡骨高度、掌倾角恢复程度优于单纯组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);2组手术时间、术后当天VAS评分、尺倾角、关节面台阶差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。术后1年Mayo腕关节功能评分中,联合组总分、活动度、握力、功能高于单纯组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);但2组疼痛评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。单纯组发生关节炎4例,联合组发生关节炎3例,2组关节炎发生率比较差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.041,P0.05)。结论上述2种方法治疗桡骨远端复杂关节内骨折均能有效复位,恢复关节功能。钢板内固定联合外固定架固定复位效果更好,术后1年腕关节功能更优,但有钉道感染风险。     

External fixation versus volar locking plate for displaced intra-articular distal radius fractures: a prospective randomized comparative study of the functional outcomes

Background

The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of external fixation and volar plating on the functional parameter of displaced intra-articular (Cooney’s type IV) distal end radius fractures using the Green and O’Brien scoring system.

Materials and methods

This prospective randomized study comprised 68 patients treated with external fixation and 42 patients treated with volar locking plates. The patients were followed up at 6 months and 1 year after surgery. The assessment of pain, range of motion, grip strength and activity were assessed at each follow-up visit and scored according to the Green and O’Brien scoring system.

Results

At 1 year after surgery, we observed that external fixation showed significantly better results than volar locking plates using the Green and O’Brien scores for range of motion (22.0 ± 4.77 vs 19.89 ± 5.05), grip strength (19.91 ± 5.4 vs 16.89 ± 4.4) and final outcome (87.36 ± 11.62 vs 81.55 ± 11.32). No difference was found in pain and activity between these two groups of patients. Patients aged <50 years treated with external fixation showed excellent results (final score (91.57 ± 9.01) at 1 year follow-up.

Conclusion

External fixation showed superiority over volar locked plating after 1 year of surgery.

Level of evidence

IV.     

Complications of volar locking plating of distal radius fractures in 576 patients with 3.2 years follow-up

BackgroundVolar plating of unstable distal radius fractures (DRF) has become the favoured treatment. The complication rates vary from 3 to 36%. The purpose of the study was to estimate the complication rate of volar plating of DRF and its association with AO/OTA fracture type, surgeon experience and type of volar plate.MethodsRetrospectively, all patients treated with volar plating of a DRF between February 2009 and June 2013 at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark were included. AO/OTA fracture type, surgeon experience (1st year, 2nd–5th year resident or consultant), type of plate (VariAx^®, Acu-Loc^®) and complications were extracted from the electronic medical records. Complications were categorized as carpal tunnel syndrome, other sensibility issues, tendon complications including irritation and rupture, deep infections, complex regional pain syndrome and unidentified DRUJ or scapholunar problems. Reoperations including hardware removal were also charted.Results576 patients with a median age of 63 years (min: 15; max: 87) were included. 78% were female and the mean observation time was 3.2 years (min: 2.0; max: 5.4). 78% (n = 451) of the patients were treated with VariAx^® and 22% (n = 125) with Acu-Loc^®.The overall complication rate was 14.6% (95% CI 11.8–17.7) including carpal tunnel syndrome or change in sensibility in 5.2% and tendon complications in 4.7%. Five flexor tendon ruptures and 12 extensor tendon ruptures were observed. The reoperation rate was 10.4% including 41 cases of hardware removal. A statistically significant association between AO/OTA fracture type C and complications was found. No statistically significant association between complication rate and surgeon experience and type of plate was observed.ConclusionThe majority of DRF patients treated with a volar plate suffer no complications. However, the overall complication rate of 14.6% is substantial. Intra-articular fractures, e.g. AO/OTA-type 23C1-3, had significantly higher complication rates. Neither surgeon experience, nor type of volar plate was able to predict complications.     

The importance of pronator quadratus repair in the treatment of distal radius fractures with volar plating

Background

Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of distal radius fractures via a volar approach involves surgical release of the overlying pronator quadratus (PQ) muscle. Complete repair of the PQ, defined as full and stable replacement of the periphery of the PQ back to its original anatomic location, is not always possible upon conclusion of the operation. Postoperative consequences of incomplete PQ repair with regards to range of motion (ROM), grip strength, and complications are not well documented. It was hypothesized that the completeness of PQ repair would yield no significant difference in the postoperative ROM, grip strength, and incidence of complications.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of 110 repairs of distal radius fractures with ORIF via placement of a volar locking plate. The following clinical data were extracted: complete or incomplete PQ repair, patient age, gender, follow-up ROM/grip strength, and incidence of postoperative complications.

Results and conclusions

No significant difference in ROM, grip strength, and postoperative complications was detected between the complete and incomplete PQ repair groups. Complications consisted of two incidences of malunion requiring revision surgery and one occurrence of complex regional pain syndrome. There were no tendon ruptures. No statistical difference in ROM/grip strength or incidence of postoperative complications was detected between the complete and incomplete PQ repair groups. Regardless of the level of injury sustained by the PQ, surgeons should make an effort to cover the distal aspect of the volar plate during closure following distal radius fracture ORIF. Coverage of the distal aspect of the plate with the PQ (at a minimum) provides adequate results in ROM and grip strength, as well as protection against flexor tendon injury.

Level of evidence

Therapeutic Level III: Retrospective Comparative Study.     

Functional outcome in patients with unstable distal radius fractures, volar locking plate versus external fixation: a meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to compare bridging external fixation with volar locked plating in patients with unstable distal radial fractures regarding functional outcome. A systematic search was performed in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline and EMBASE. All randomized controlled trials that compared bridging external fixation directly with volar locked plating in patients with distal radial fractures were considered. Three reviewers extracted data independently from eligible studies using a data collection form. Studies in which the primary endpoint was measured on the disabilities of the arm shoulder and hand (DASH) score at 3, 6 and 12 months were included in the analysis. To this end, mean scores and standard deviations were extracted. The software package Revman 5 provided by the Cochrane Collaboration was used for data analysis. Three studies involving 174 patients were analyzed. Ninety patients were treated with an (augmented) bridging external fixator and 84 with a volar locking plate. Data were analyzed with the random effects model. The robustness of the results was explored using a sensitivity analysis. Patients treated with a volar locking plate showed significantly lower DASH scores at all times. A difference of 16 (p = 0.006), six (p = 0.008) and eight points (p = 0.06) was found at 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up, respectively. Patients treated with a volar locking plate showed significantly better functional outcome throughout the entire follow-up. However, this difference was only clinically relevant during the early postoperative period (3 months).     

Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for distal radius fractures

Background:

Fractures of distal radius are common injury in all age groups. Cast treatment with or without close reduction is a viable option. However, the results are often unsatisfactory with restricted function. The open reduction and internal fixation often results in extensive soft tissue dissection and associated high rates of infect and delayed/nonunion. The distractor/external fixator have reported good functional and anatomical results but the incidence of pin traction infection nerve injury and cosmedic deformity are high. We introduced a modified operative technique for minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) for distal radial fracture and evaluated the functional outcomes and complications.

Materials and Methods:

22 distal radial fractures (10 left, 12 right) were treated using the MIPO technique and two small incisions with a palmar locking plate from August 2009 to August 2010. The wrist function was assessed according to Dienst wrist rating system, and postoperative complications were recorded.

Results:

According to Dienst wrist rating system, 13 patients showed excellent results, 6 cases showed good results and 3 patients had moderate results. No patient had poor results. Thus, the excellent and good rate was 86.4%. One patient had anesthesia in the thenar eminence and this symptom disappeared after 3 months. One patient had delayed healing in the proximal wrist crease. Two patients had mild pain on the ulnar side of the wrist and two patients had limited wrist joint function.

Conclusion:

The MIPO technique by using two small palmar incisions is safe and effective for treatment of distal radial fractures.     

掌侧锁定接骨板与外固定架固定治疗不稳定桡骨远端关节内骨折的疗效比较

目的 比较掌侧锁定接骨板与外固定架固定治疗不稳定桡骨远端关节内骨折的临床疗效.方法 回顾性分析自2015-01-2018-03诊治的78例不稳定桡骨远端关节内骨折,47例采用掌侧锁定接骨板固定手术治疗(锁定板组),31例采用外固定架手术治疗(外固定组).比较2组手术时间、并发症情况,以及末次随访时关节塌陷情况、DASH...     

锁定钢板治疗桡骨远端不稳定骨折

2009年2月～2010年11月,笔者采用锁定钢板切开复位内固定治疗31例桡骨远端不稳定骨折患者,取得满意疗效。1材料与方法1.1病例资料本组31例,男12例,女19例,年龄48～73岁。     

掌侧2．4mm锁定钢板治疗复杂桡骨远端关节内骨折

目的：探讨掌侧2.4 mm锁定钢板治疗复杂桡骨远端关节内骨折的使用方法和疗效。方法从2010年2月至2013年2月本组对新鲜桡骨远端关节内骨折,在伤后两周内使用掌侧2.4 mm锁定加压钢板（或称锁定钢板）进行切开复位内固定手术。随访的病例共48例,男20例,女28例。 AO分型：C1型10例,C2型14例,C3型24例。结果在掌倾角、尺偏角,桡骨相对长度与3.5 mm组相比无统计学差异,而关节面平整程度则2.4 mm组优于3.5 mm组,统计学差异有意义。关节的屈伸（96.3°±12.6°）、旋转活动（97.6°±13.8°）;握力结果（72.3±10.6） kg。静息时疼痛分级与3.5 mm组比较无统计学差异。活动时疼痛分级及DASH评分2.4 mm组优于3.5 mm组,统计学差异有意义。最终所有骨折均愈合,有3例发生并发症。结论掌侧2.4 mm锁定钢板治疗复杂桡骨远端关节内骨折能有更好的复位质量,从而减少了患者术后活动时的疼痛。并使功能恢复更理想。     

Cast immobilization versus volar locking plate fixation of AO type C distal radial fractures in patients aged 60 years and older

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of conservative treatment (cast immobilization) for complex intra-articular distal radius fractures (AO type C) in elderly patients and to determine whether or not the application of a volar locking plate (VLP) is necessary.