Displaced articular fractures of the distal radius open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screws

In this study, open reduction and internal fixation with a T-plate were used in a series of 18 displaced intra-articular distal radius fractures in 18 young adult patients [12 males and 6 females] with a mean age of 27 years [range 19-40 years]. Eight fractures were AO type C2 and 10 were type C3. A dorsal plate was used in 7 patients and a volar plate was used in 11 patients, with cancellous bone grafting in 6 and supplemental K-wires in 8 cases. The mean follow-up period was 25.4 months [range 18-34 months]. By the criteria of Gartland and Werley, 15 patients had an excellent or good end-result. The mean grip strength was 70% of the contralateral normal side. Postoperatively, satisfactory open reduction was obtained in 17 cases and an excellent or good articular congruency was achieved in 14 cases. At the end of the follow-up, two wrists had substantial change in position of reduction achieved at surgery and there was a mean of 8.7 mm of radial length, 16.9 degrees of radial inclination, 5.2 degrees of volar tilt and 1.2 mm of radio-ulnar index. Post-traumatic arthritis of grade 2 or 3 developed in 5 cases. Sixteen patients were able to return to pre-injury occupation or level of activities. The study indicated that open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screws can be recommended for displaced articular distal radius fractures, particularly in young adults, after failure of closed reduction in restoring articular congruency