Fracturas de radio distal: ¿es necesario el aporte de injerto o sustitutivo óseo en los casos con osteoporosis o conminución severa? / Distal radius fractures: Should we use supplemental bone grafts or substitutites in cases of severe osteoporotic or conminution?

Objetivo: Evaluar la necesidad de injertos o sustitutivos óseos en el tratamiento quirúrgico de las fracturas de radio distal (FDR) con placas bloqueadas (LCP). Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo observacional de 60 pacientes con FDR A3 o C3 tratadas mediante placa LCP sin aporte de injerto o sustitutivo óseo. Se comparó la movilidad en flexión (F), extensión (E), supinación (S) y pronación (P) de la muñeca fracturada con respecto a la sana; y los parámetros radiográficos de inclinación palmar (IP), inclinación radial (IR), varianza cubital (VC) y altura radial (AR) de la muñeca fracturada al año de la cirugía respecto a la muñeca contralateral sana y a la fracturada en el postoperatorio. Evaluamos el grado de satisfacción del paciente mediante las escalas PRWE y DASH. Resultados: Las diferencias de movilidad de la muñeca fracturada con respecto a la muñeca contralateral sana fueron F 12° ± 16,1°, E 9° ± 13,1°, P 2,5° ± 7,5° y S 5° ± 10°, pero se mantuvieron dentro de rangos funcionales y obtuvimos un buen nivel de satisfacción de los pacientes (DASH 12,6 ± 14,16 y PRWE 6,31 ± 9,5). El 100% de FDR consolidaron sin colapso significativo (IP 0,55 ± 1,7°, IR 0,31 ± 1,5°, VC 0,25 ± 0,8 mm, AR 0,1 ± 0,9 mm). Conclusiones: Todas las fracturas consolidaron sin problemas y la pérdida de reducción no fue estadísticamente significativa. El uso de injertos o sustitutivos óseos no es imprescindible en el tratamiento de las FDR inestables con placas LCP, cuya utilización encarece el procedimiento y no está exenta de morbilidades. Como conclusión secundaria, el estudio afianza el papel de las placas LCP en el tratamiento de las FDR (AU)

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the need of bone graft or bone substitutes in unstable distal radius fractures (DRF) treated with locking compression plates (LCP) Patients and Methods: An observational and prospective study was conducted on 60 patients with DRF AO-type A3 and AO-type C3, treated surgically by LCP plates without bone grafts or substitutes. Ranges of motion in flexion (F), extension (E), pronation (P), and supination (S) were measured in the injured wrist and compared with the healthy contralateral wrist. X-ray parameters: palmar tilt (PT), radial inclination (RI), ulnar variance (UV), and radial height (RH) were calculated in the injured wrist one year after surgery and then compared, with those parameters in the healthy contralateral wrist and in the follow-up postoperative x-ray of the injured wrist. PRWE and DASH scores were used to evaluate patient satisfaction. Results: The range of motion loss was F 12° ± 16.1°, E 9° ± 13.1°, P 2.5° ± 7.5°, and S 5°±10°, but they remained within functional parameters. Good results were also obtained in the PRWE and DASH scores (DASH 12.6 ± 14.16 and PRWE 9.5 ± 9.5). All the fractures were healed without significant collapse (IP 0.55 ± 1.7°, IR 0.31 ± 1.5°, VC 0.25 ± 0.8 mm, and AR 0.1 ± 0.9 mm). Conclusions: All fractures healed without problems or with significant loss of reduction. Bone graft and bone substitutes are not mandatory for treatment of unstable DRF with LCP plates. Their use increases the cost and is not exempt of morbidities. This study also reinforces the role of LCP plates in surgical treatment of unstable DRF (AU)

Distal radius fractures: Should we use supplemental bone grafts or substitutites in cases of severe osteoporotic or conminution?

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the need of bone graft or bone substitutes in unstable distal radius fractures (DRF) treated with locking compression plates (LCP) PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational and prospective study was conducted on 60 patients with DRF AO-type A3 and AO-type C3, treated surgically by LCP plates without bone grafts or substitutes. Ranges of motion in flexion (F), extension (E), pronation (P), and supination (S) were measured in the injured wrist and compared with the healthy contralateral wrist. X-ray parameters: palmar tilt (PT), radial inclination (RI), ulnar variance (UV), and radial height (RH) were calculated in the injured wrist one year after surgery and then compared, with those parameters in the healthy contralateral wrist and in the follow-up postoperative x-ray of the injured wrist. PRWE and DASH scores were used to evaluate patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The range of motion loss was F 12° ± 16.1°, E 9° ± 13.1°, P 2.5° ± 7.5°, and S 5°±10°, but they remained within functional parameters. Good results were also obtained in the PRWE and DASH scores (DASH 12.6 ± 14.16 and PRWE 9.5 ± 9.5). All the fractures were healed without significant collapse (IP 0.55 ± 1.7°, IR 0.31 ± 1.5°, VC 0.25±0.8mm, and AR 0.1 ± 0.9 mm). CONCLUSIONS: All fractures healed without problems or with significant loss of reduction. Bone graft and bone substitutes are not mandatory for treatment of unstable DRF with LCP plates. Their use increases the cost and is not exempt of morbidities. This study also reinforces the role of LCP plates in surgical treatment of unstable DRF.

Resultados funcionales y complicaciones de las placas volares bloqueadas de radio distal / Functional results and complications of locked distal radius volar plates

Introducción y objetivos: En los últimos años se está observando un aumento en la intensidad del tratamiento de la fractura de radio distal derivado hacia la fijación interna. Las placas bloqueadas evitan el colapso metafisario aun con el hueso osteoporótico o conminuto, mantienen la reducción y permiten una movilidad temprana. Sin embargo, todavía no hay suficiente evidencia de cuál es el mejor método de tratamiento para esta fractura. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar nuestro resultado funcional y las complicaciones con el uso de las placas bloqueadas de radio distal. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo sobre 145 fracturas inestables de radio distal tratadas mediante placa volar bloqueada, con un seguimiento medio de 28 meses. Se usó la clasificación AO (Asociación para el Estudio de la Osteosíntesis) y la clasificación de Fernández. Se evaluó la presencia de osteoporosis, la necesidad de injerto, la diferencia de movilidad entre la muñeca sana y la muñeca fracturada y las medidas radiográficas, así como el test funcional PRWE (Patient–Rated Wrist Evaluation) y las complicaciones. Análisis estadístico. Resultados: Se revisó a 95 pacientes. La puntuación media del PRWE fue de 13 puntos. Se encontró una relación significativa entre la movilidad y el resultado funcional. Se utilizó injerto en 3 pacientes y no hubo casos de seudoartrosis o colapsos metafisarios. El 8% de los pacientes presentó alguna complicación seria (algodistrofia, dolor crónico o consolidación viciosa). Conclusiones: Las placas bloqueadas se presentan como una alternativa para el tratamiento de las fracturas inestables de radio distal, proporcionan buenos resultados funcionales, pocas complicaciones, minimizan la necesidad de aporte de injerto y permiten una movilización temprana aun con hueso osteoporótico o conminuto (AU)

Introduction and purpose: In the last few years, there has been increased aggressiveness in the treatment of distal radius fractures by means of internal fixation. Locked plates prevent metaphyseal collapse even in the presence of osteoporotic or comminuted bone; they also maintain reduction and allow early motion. Nevertheless, there is as yet not enough evidence as to what may be the best way of treating this fracture. Our purpose is to assess our functional results and the complications that can arise from the use of distal radius locked plates. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study of 145 unstable distal radius fractures treated by means of a locked volar plate, with a mean follow-up of 28 months. AO (Association for the Study of Osteosynthesis) and Fernandez’ classifications were used to assess the presence of osteoporosis, need for a graft, difference between healthy and fractured hand in terms of mobility, the radiographic measurements and the functional PRWE (Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation) test and any potential complications. A statistical analysis was carried out.Results95 patients were analyzed. Mean PRWE score was 13 points. A significant relation was found between motion and functional result. A graft was used in 3 patients and there were no cases of pseudoarthrosis or metaphyseal collapses. Eight percent of patients presented with some serious complication (algodystrophy, chronic pain, malunion). Conclusions: Locked plates can be regarded as an alternative to the treatment of unstable distal radius fractures. They provide good functional results and few complications, they minimize the need for grafting and they allow early mobilization even in the presence of osteporotic and comminute bone (AU)