Abstract
BackgroundThe surgical technique of radius distraction for stabilization of distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) if intraoperative DRUJ instability was found after the fixation of distal radius fracture has been previously described, but this surgical technique lacks clinical and radiographic effect in minimal 3 years follow-up. We therefore evaluated the clinical outcome and radiographic results of radius distraction in minimal 3 years follow-up.MethodsWe reviewed the case series of distal radius fracture with concomitant DRUJ instability receiving radius distraction from the senior author over a 5-year period (January 1st, 2013 to June 30th, 2017) retrospectively, and the evaluation of clinical and radiographic outcomes was performed at clinic as long-term follow-up; a total 34 patients had been evaluated.ResultsAt minimal post-operative 36 months follow-up, all cases demonstrated acceptable wrist range of motion with stable DRUJs and low NRS of wrist pain (0.6, SD 0.7) and DASH score (mean 9.1, SD 6.2), and there were no cases suffering from nonunion of distal radius. The mean ulnar variance of injured wrist and uninjured wrist were − 1.2 mm and 0.2mm, respectively (SD 1.0 and 0.6) with significant statistical difference.ConclusionsRadius distraction during volar fixation of distal radius fracture should be consider if DRUJ instability was found by the radioulnar stress test intraoperatively, and the long-term DRUJ stability could be achieved by maintenance of normal-to-negative ulnar variance, with decreased wrist pain and satisfactory function outcome.Level of EvidenceTherapeutic Level IV
Radius distraction could contribute to long-term stability for treating distal radioulnar joint instability during volar plating of distal radius fracture: a retrospective case series study