Locking compression plate for treatment of unstable distal radius fractures / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo explore the application and outcome of locking compression plate in the treatment of unstable distal radius fracture.Methods From January 2006 to December 2008,eighty-two patients with consecutive unstable distal radius fractures were preformed with open reduction and locking compression plate fixation by volar, dorsal or bilateral approaches. There were 31 males (bilateral fractures in two patients) and 49 females with an average age of 51 years (range, 17-74 years).According to AO/OTA criterion, there were seven patientswith type A3 fractures, four with type B 1, 12with type B2, 10 with type B3, 16 with type C1, 21 with type C2 and 12 with type C3. The locking plate fixations through simple volar approach was performed in 61 patients, fixations through dorsal approach in 12, volar 1/3 radius cylindrical steel plate fixation through volar and dorsal approach in five, bilateral fixations through volar and dorsal approaches in four. Furthermore, the external fixator was used in 19 patients, fixation of the ulna fractures in seven, and bone graft in 39. ResultsThe patients were followed up for average 20.7 months ( range, 1-4 years), which showed postoperative complications including bubble appearing around the incision in three patients, infection in one, median nerve injury in three, screws penetrating into extensor compartment in four, threads penetrating into radiocarpal joint because of reduction loss in two, rejection in one and traumatic arthritis in seven. According to the Cooney criterion, the result was excellent in 56 pateints, good in 19, fair in six and poor in one, with excellence rate of 91％. Conclusions The locking compression plate can provide firm fixation and allow early functional exercise and hence is suitable for unstable distal radius fracture especially the osteoporosis patients with comminuted compression fracture.