Dorsal Plate Fixation for Dorsally Displaced Distal Radius Fractures

Received: February 4, 2014 Revised: March 10, 2014 Accepted: March 11, 2014 Correspondence to: Seok-Whan Song Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, 10 63(yuksam)ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 150-713, Korea TEL: +82-2-3779-1192 FAX: +82-2-783-0252 E-mail: sw.song@catholic.ac.kr Purpose: The object of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of two different kinds of dorsal plating for dorsally displaced distal radius fractures. Methods: Forty-three patients with dorsal plate fixation for distal radius fracture were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-four patients were treated with nonlocking dorsal plate (group I) and nineteen patients with locking dorsal plate (group II). Range of motion and Green and O’Brien score were evaluated as clinical results, and radial inclination, radial length, volar tilt at postoperative and last follow up were evaluated as radiographic results. Results: According to AO classification system, there were 18 type A fractures, 4 type B fractures, 21 type C fractures. In group I, the mean flexion and extension were 65.0° and 65.3°, respectively; ulnar and radial deviation were 25.5° and 20.8°; pronation and supination were 80.0° and 80.4°. In group II, the mean flexion and extension were 64.5° and 67.3°, respectively; ulnar and radial deviation were 30.6° and 20.6°; pronation and supination were 81.4° and 78.6°. The mean Green and O’Brien score was 94.4 in group I and 92.2 in group II, and 41 patients had satisfactory result. There was no statistical significant difference in clinical results between the groups. Results of postoperative and last follow-up radiographic analyses for mean radial inclination were 23.9° and 24.1° in group I, respectively, and 24.2° and 24.9° in group II; radial length were 9.9 mm and 9.7 mm in group I, and 10.1 mm and 9.2 mm in group II; mean volar tilt were 12.2° and 13.1° in group I, and 14.8° and 13.7° in group II . There were no statistical significant changes within radiographic parameters. No extensor tendon rupture was reported. Conclusion: Dorsal plate fixation for dorsally displaced distal radius fracture showed satisfactory clinical and radiographic outcomes with low complication rate, regardless of the type of plate.

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