scholarly journals Management of Unstable Distal Radius Fractures: A Survey of Hand Surgeons

2018 ◽  
Vol 08 (04) ◽  
pp. 335-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ara A. Salibian ◽  
Karl C. Bruckman ◽  
Jonathan M. Bekisz ◽  
Joshua Mirrer ◽  
Vishal D. Thanik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Distal Radius ◽  
Distal Radius Fractures ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Years Of Experience ◽  
Volar Plating ◽  
Radius Fractures ◽  
Fixed Angle ◽  
Operative Fixation

Background Length of immobilization after operative fixation of unstable distal radius fractures and management in elderly patients is an area of debate. Purpose The purpose of this study is to delineate common practices of fellowship-trained hand surgeons and how they compare with current evidence-based protocols. Methods Surveys were distributed to American Society for Surgery of the Hand members on preferred methods of fixation, postoperative immobilization, and variations in treatment of elderly patients with unstable distal radius fractures. Responses were analyzed in comparison to a literature review. Subgroups were compared with regard to training, practice type, and years in practice. Results Four-hundred eighty-five surveys were analyzed. Volar fixed-angle plating was the most common choice of fixation (84.7%). Patients are most often immobilized for 1 to 2 weeks (40.0%) with range of motion (ROM) therapy begun most commonly between 1 and 4 weeks (47.2%). The majority of surgeons do not treat fractures differently in patients more than 65 years old. Physicians with more than 20 years of experience were significantly more likely to begin wrist ROM sooner with volar plating versus other fixation techniques compared with physicians with less than 20 years of experience (40.7% vs. 34.2%, respectively). Also, physicians in academic-only practices were more likely to immobilize patients for a shorter time after volar plating compared with those in privademics. Conclusion Volar fixed-angle plating is the dominant fixation method for unstable distal radius fractures among fellowship-trained hand surgeons. Elderly patients are not treated more conservatively and rigid immobilization after operative fixation remains the treatment of choice despite current evidence-based protocols.

Classification and Management of Failed Fixation of the Volar Marginal Fragment in Distal Radius Fractures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Carolina Orbay ◽  
Jorge L. Orbay
Keyword(s):  
Distal Radius ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Distal Radioulnar Joint ◽  
Distal Radius Fractures ◽  
Volar Plating ◽  
Radius Fractures ◽  
Fracture Patterns ◽  
Loss Of Reduction ◽  
Operative Fixation ◽  
Specific Fracture

AbstractGreater understanding of specific fracture patterns following distal radius fractures has arisen with the advent of volar plating. The volar marginal fragment (VMF) is a small peripheral piece of bone which is critical to carpal stability. Failure to achieve good fixation of the VMF can result in volar subluxation of the carpus and distal radioulnar joint instability. Due to its small, distal nature, this fragment can be easily missed and difficult to fix. Loss of reduction of the VMF following operative fixation presents specific challenges and surgical considerations dictated by patient characteristics and timing. Our goal of this review is to present a classification system for these failed VMFs which can help guide surgical treatment as well as expected outcomes.

Intra-articular distal radius fractures in elderly patients: a randomized prospective study of casting versus volar plating

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Martinez-Mendez ◽  
Alejandro Lizaur-Utrilla ◽  
Joaquin de-Juan-Herrero
Keyword(s):  
Conservative Treatment ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Distal Radius ◽  
Articular Surface ◽  
Distal Radius Fractures ◽  
Volar Plating ◽  
Radius Fractures ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Loss Of Reduction

We compared outcomes in elderly patients with intra-articular distal radius fractures treated by closed reduction and plaster immobilization or open reduction and internal fixation with a volar plate. Ninety-seven patients older than 60 years were randomly allocated to conservative (47 patients) or surgical (50 patients) treatment. Over a 2-year period, we assessed patient-rated wrist evaluation score, DASH (disability arm, shoulder and hand) questionnaire, pain, wrist range of motion, grip strength, and radiological parameters. The functional outcomes and quality of life were significantly better after volar plating fixation compared with conservative treatment. We found that restoration of the articular surface, radial inclination, and ulnar variance affected the outcomes, but the articular step-off did not. Twenty-five per cent of the patients with conservative treatment had secondary loss of reduction. We conclude that surgical plating leads to better outcomes than conservative treatment for elderly patients with intra-articular distal radius fractures. Level of evidence: I

COMPARISON BETWEEN CAST IMMOBILIZATION VERSUS VOLAR LOCKING PLATE FIXATION OF DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURES IN ACTIVE ELDERLY PATIENTS, THE ASIAN PERSPECTIVE

Hand Surgery ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (01) ◽  
pp. 19-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying-Ho Chan ◽  
Tun-Lin Foo ◽  
Chong-Jin Yeo ◽  
Winston Yoon-Chong Chew
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Internal Fixation ◽  
Distal Radius ◽  
Locking Plate ◽  
Plate Fixation ◽  
Distal Radius Fractures ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Volar Locking Plate ◽  
Radius Fractures ◽  
Cast Immobilization

Displaced distal radius fractures in active elderly patients with high functional demand present a clinical dilemma because current evidence is equivocal in the recommendation of treatment. Internal fixation is an increasingly popular option with proposed superior results. Our study aims to evaluate the results among a population of active elderly patients with displaced fractures managed with either cast immobilization or internal fixation with volar locking plate. Seventy-five patients (35 cast immobilization and 40 internal fixation) with mean age of 74 ± 7.5 years with minimum of 12 months follow-up were studied. The radiological and clinical parameters were assessed at three, six, and 12 months. Functional outcomes (DASH, Green-O'Brien) were assessed at 12 months. Patients who underwent surgery regain wrist motion and grip strength earlier, but this was not statistically significant after six months.

USE OF THE VOLAR FIXED ANGLE PLATE FOR COMMINUTED DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURES AND AUGMENTATION WITH A HYDROXYAPATITE BONE GRAFT SUBSTITUTE

Hand Surgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (01) ◽  
pp. 29-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Goto ◽  
Tsuyoshi Murase ◽  
Kunihiro Oka ◽  
Hideki Yoshikawa
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Bone Graft ◽  
Distal Radius ◽  
Bone Graft Substitute ◽  
Distal Radius Fractures ◽  
Ulnar Variance ◽  
Radius Fractures ◽  
Fixed Angle ◽  
Radial Inclination ◽  
Metaphyseal Comminution

Treatment of distal radius fractures with a volar fixed angle plate achieves sufficient stabilisation and permits early physical exercise. However, secondary displacement after surgery sometimes occurs in elderly patients with a metaphyseal comminution and/or cases in which the subchondral support pegs were not placed immediately below the subchondral zone.We treated elderly patients suffering from distal radius fractures with metaphyseal comminution, using both volar fixed angle plate with or without augmentation with a hydroxyapatite bone graft substitute to investigate the benefit of augmentation for maintaining a fracture reduction. We evaluated the differences among radiographic parameters including palmar tilt, radial inclination, and ulnar variance on immediate postoperative and final follow-up radiographs to analyse the maintenance of the initial reduction.There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of palmar tilt (P = 0.80) and radial inclination (P = 0.17); however, ulnar variance increased significantly in the group treated with a volar fixed angle plate without augmentation (P < 0.05).It might be useful to use a combination technique of a locking plate system and the hydroxyapatite bone graft substitute as augmentation to treat distal radius comminuted fractures in elderly patients.

Comparison of palmar fixed-angle plate fixation with K-wire fixation of distal radius fractures (AO A2, A3, C1) in elderly patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Goehre ◽  
W. Otto ◽  
S. Schwan ◽  
T. Mendel ◽  
P. P. Vergroesen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Distal Radius ◽  
Plate Fixation ◽  
Functional Results ◽  
Distal Radius Fractures ◽  
Dash Score ◽  
Radius Fractures ◽  
Fixed Angle ◽  
Operative Care ◽  
Wire Fixation

The objective of this prospective, randomized, controlled trial was to compare the results of two operative techniques used for the treatment of unstable distal radius fractures in elderly patients classified as AO types A2, A3, and C1. Patients were treated with either fixed-angle volar plates or K-wires using a combined Kapandji and Willenegger technique. The functional results were determined after 3, 6, and 12 months. We included 40 patients aged over 65 years. Twenty-one patients were treated with plate fixation and 19 with K-wire fixation. The functional results, after 1 year, were nearly the same in both treatment groups, suggesting that either method is suitable for the treatment of unstable distal radius fractures of AO types A2, A3, and C1 in elderly patients. Sixteen of 21 patients with plate fixation and 17 of 19 patients with K-wire fixation present good results as assessed by the Castaing score. The median DASH score was three in both groups after 1 year. The patients with plate fixation were able to resume activities of daily living 4 weeks earlier. The most common complication was an intermediate post-traumatic median nerve irritation. Both methods are suitable for the treatment of elderly patients with unstable distal radius fractures of AO types A2, A3, and C1. If early functional post-operative care is important, palmar fixed-angle plate fixation is an ideal treatment approach. Otherwise, K-wire fixation is an effective, minimally invasive method with comparable clinical results.

scholarly journals Minimising the risk of extensor pollicis longus rupture following volar plate fixation of distal radius fractures: a cadaveric study

2011 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
DC Perry ◽  
DMG Machin ◽  
JA Casaletto ◽  
DJ Brown
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Distal Radius ◽  
Plate Fixation ◽  
Tendon Injury ◽  
Distal Radius Fractures ◽  
Volar Plate ◽  
Radius Fractures ◽  
Extensor Pollicis Longus ◽  
Fixed Angle ◽  
Volar Plate Fixation

INTRODUCTION Rupture of extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon is a recognised complication following volar plate fixation of distal radius fractures, usually from attrition caused by prominent screws. We sought to identify the screw holes in some of the most commonly used plates which may precipitate tendon injury. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Three fixed-angle volar locking plates were sequentially positioned into 18 cadaveric arms. A wire was passed through each of the holes in the plates using a locking guide and the dorsal relationships noted. RESULTS Each plate had specific ‘high-risk’ holes which directed the wire towards the EPL groove. The central screw holes appeared mostly implicated in EPL injury. CONCLUSIONS Awareness of ‘high-risk’ holes and appropriate minor alterations in surgical technique may consequently decrease the incidence of EPL irritation and rupture.

145 Outcomes of Unstable Distal Radius Fractures – A Meta-Analysis of Bridging External Fixation Versus Volar Plating

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Mulrain ◽  
K Joshi ◽  
F Doyle ◽  
A Abdulkarim
Keyword(s):  
External Fixation ◽  
Distal Radius ◽  
Plate Fixation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Distal Radius Fractures ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Volar Plating ◽  
Radius Fractures ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Introduction Distal radius fractures are common and trends for fixation have changed with increased use of volar locking plates in recent time. A meta-analysis will summarise the best evidence for treatment. Method A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA methodology to identify studies that reported clinical and/or radiological outcomes in patients with AO type C distal radius fractures when treated with external fixation versus ORIF. Results 10 randomised trials were included in this review, reporting on 967 patients. Clinical outcomes are in favour of volar plating at 3 months post-operation, but no difference between the two groups is seen at 6 or 12 months. Analysis of complication rates shows a minute increase in risk-ratio for volar plating versus external fixation. Subgroup analysis showed significantly higher re-operations after plate fixation and significantly higher infection after external fixation. Conclusions Internal fixation of complex distal radius fractures confers an improved clinical outcome at early follow up only and a minimally increased risk of complications. The improved grip strength with volar plating is only superior at early follow up and no long-term superiority is seen with either intervention. The type of surgery in this injury type therefore remains at the surgeon’s consideration on a case-by-case basis.

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