Treatment of Distal End Radius Fractures - By Various Modalities

Introduction: Fractures of the distal end radius represent approximately 16% of all fractures treated by orthopedic surgeons.Our study is intended to find both conceptual and practical guidance for precision treatment with an expectant favorable result.Materials and Methods: Atotal of 50 patients of distal end radius fractures were treated with cast immobilization, percutaneouspinning, external fixation, and volar locking plate fixation. Fernandez classification was used. Functional outcomes wereassessed using Demerit Point System of Gartland and Werley (modified). The anatomical evaluation was done by Lindstromcriteria (modified).Results: Functional outcomes depend on patient’s age, fracture anatomy, displacement, reducibility, stability, and articularincongruity of fractures. They are related more to the anatomical reduction than to the method of immobilization. Volar lockingplate is a safe and effective treatment for unstable and metaphyseal comminuted fractures.Conclusion: According to Fernandez classification, Type I fractures were the most common. The volar locking compressionplate fixation gives excellent functional and anatomical results than other modalities of treatment. Hence, we recommend volarlocking plate fixation is the best modality of treatment among others.

Plating the radial shaft on the lateral surface: An outcome study / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Plate fixation is the gold standard for the treatment of displaced forearm shaft fractures in adults. Conventionally radial shaft fractures will be plated either on the volar surface or on the dorsal surface depending on which approach has been chosen. The lateral surface of the radius provides an even and uniformly curved area for placing a plate. It has the advantage of restoring and easy assessing the radial bow after surgery. We designed a prospective study to observe the outcome of lateral plating of radius shaft fractures.@*METHODS@#Nineteen patients were included in this study performed in Government Medical College, Jammu, India. Among them, 13 had fractures of both the forearm bones and 6 had isolated radial shaft fracture. Three patients had Galeazzi fracture dislocation. Fixation was done within 36 h of injury in all using 3.5 mm limited contact dynamic compression plate or locking compression plate applied to the lateral surface of the radius. Ulna was fixed in routine manner.@*RESULTS@#Union was achieved in 18 out of 19 patients, after a mean time of 17.44 weeks. According to Anderson et al.'s criteria, 12 patients had excellent results, 5 had satisfactory and 1 had unsatisfactory result. There was one failure (nonunion).@*CONCLUSION@#The outcomes including rate of union were comparable to those in the existing literature. Plating the radial shaft on the lateral surface is a viable alternative to volar or dorsal plating of the radius. Larger studies with randomized data are needed to assess whether it has any superiority over other existing techniques.

Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon Rupture with Concomitant Rupture of the Extensor Digitorum Communis II Tendon and Extensor Indicis Proprius after Volar Plating for Distal Radius Fracture

Extensor tendon rupture is well known complication following distal radius fracture after either conservative treatment or volar plating. However, there are not many reports in literature about concomitant ruptures of other extensor tendons. We report a case of delayed rupture of extensor pollicis longus (EPL), second extensor digitorum communis (EDC II), and extensor indicis proprius (EIP) tendons 4 weeks after volar plating for distal radius fracture. Due to the absence of EIP, EIP transfer was discouraged for EPL reconstruction. Thumb and index finger extension was restored by palmaris longus tendon graft for EPL and EDC II.

Morphology of distal radius curvatures: a CT-based study on the Malaysian Malay population

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>The purpose of this study was to examine the differing curves of the volar distal radius of healthy Malaysian Malays, so as to obtain detailed morphological information that will further the understanding of volar plate osteosynthesis in Malaysian Malays.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Computed tomography with three-dimensional reconstruction was performed on the wrists of 16 healthy Malaysian Malay volunteers. Profile measurements were made using a software program. A novel parameter, the pronator quadratus curve angle, was explored and introduced in this study. Interclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the level of agreement between the data collected by the principal investigator and that collected by an independent radiologist.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean ± standard deviation of the arc radii on the radial aspect was 17.50° ± 5.40°, while the median (interquartile range [IQR]) of the arc radii on the ulnar aspect was 25.27° (IQR 5.80°). The mean ± standard deviation of the curvature of the pronator quadratus line was 40.52° ± 2.48°. The arc radii on the radial aspect was significantly lower than the arc radii on the ulnar aspect (p = 0.001). Different radial and ulnar arcs were observed in 56.25% of the radii; the arc was deeper on the ulnar aspect in 93.75% of the radii.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Based on the findings of this study, the likelihood of achieving anatomical reduction with uniformly curved, fixed-angle volar plates is questionable. Changes in the design of these implants may be needed to optimise their usage in the Malaysian Malay population.</p>

Examination of the Pronator Quadratus Muscle during Hardware Removal Procedures after Volar Plating for Distal Radius Fractures

BACKGROUND: It is not clear whether the pronator quadratus (PQ) muscle actually heals and provides a meaningful pronation force after volar plating for distal radius fractures (DRFs). We aimed to determine whether the length of the PQ muscle, which is dissected and then repaired during volar plating for a DRF, affects the forearm rotation strength and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We examined 41 patients who requested hardware removal after volar plating. We measured the isokinetic forearm rotation strength and clinical outcomes including grip strength, wrist range of motion, and disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scores at 6 months after fracture fixation. During the hardware removal surgery, which was performed at an average of 9 months (range, 8.3 to 11.5 months) after fracture fixation, we measured the PQ muscle length. RESULTS: The average PQ muscle length was 68% of the normal muscle length, and no significant relationship was found between the PQ muscle length and the outcomes including isokinetic forearm rotation strength, grip strength, wrist range of motion, and DASH scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the length of the healed PQ muscle does not affect isokinetic forearm rotation strength and clinical outcomes after volar plating for DRFs. The results of this study support our current practice of loose repair of the PQ that is performed by most of the surgeons to prevent tendon irritation over the plate, and suggest that tight repair of the PQ is not necessary for achieving improved forearm function.

Delayed Rupture of Flexor Pollicis Longus after Volar Plating for a Distal Radius Fracture

Although extensor tendon rupture often occurs after volar plating for a distal radius fracture, a flexor tendon rupture is extremely rare. Most reported instances of flexor tendon ruptures after volar plating have involved improper placement of the plate, increased prominence of the distal edge of the plate because of collapse of the fracture site, use of custom-made plates, current steroid use by the patient, or a history of tendon injury. We report a case of delayed rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon 40 months after volar plating with a 3.5-mm T-locking compression plate for which the distal edge was located at the transverse ridge level of the distal radius. If symptoms such as tendon irritation occur in this situation, surgeons should consider removing the plate as soon as possible after bony union is achieved.

Treatment of Fractures of the Distal Radius using Locking Compression Plate

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of locking compression plate (LCP) and volar plating through anterior approach for distal radius fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed that 15 distal radius fracture, which would not be reduced by closed reduction or too comminuated to maintain reduction or articular surface inconguency, were treated by open reduction through anterior approach and volar plating using LCP. The results were evaluated by preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Functional results were analysed using the Modified Mayo Wrist Scoring System. RESULTS: All cases achieved anatomical articular surface reduction postoperatively. In terms of radiologic analysis, mean radial length (9.0 mm vs. 11.8 mm), radial inclination (14.7degrees vs. 20.9degrees ), volar tilt (-6.3degrees vs. 8.3degrees ) and articular step-off (1.4 mm vs. 0.3 mm) were improved. The average Modified Wrist Score was 89. Nonunion or malunion was not occurred. CONCLUSION: Open reduction through anterior approach and volar plating using LCP is a useful method that provides excellent results with few complications in the treatment of fracture of the distal radius.