Radiographic Incidence and Functional Outcomes of Distal Radius Fractures Undergoing Volar Plate Fixation With Concomitant Scapholunate Widening: A Prospective Analysis

Background: Scapholunate (SL) ligament injuries can occur concomitantly with distal radius fractures (DRFs), and the management of acute SL injury in the setting of DRFs remains controversial. The purpose of the study is to identify the radiographic incidence of SL widening in DRF treated with volar plate fixation and to determine the functional outcomes of DRF with concomitant radiographic SL-widening. Methods: One hundred and seventeen patients with DRFs, with and without radiographic SL-widening, and treated with volar locked plating, were prospectively enrolled. No SL ligament repairs or reconstructions were performed in any cases. Patients with DRFs with radiographic criteria for SL widening were compared to those without. Patients were evaluated at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively with Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaires. Results: Thirty-one patients (26.5%) were found to have radiographic evidence of SL widening. Patients with concomitant SL widening had less wrist extension at 3 months (52.4 degrees vs 60.8, P = .034) and at 1 year (64.5 degrees vs 71.8, P = .023). The group with SL widening had greater articular step off at 3 months (0.33 vs 0.06, P = .042), but no difference at 1 year (0.11 vs 0.05, P = .348). There were no differences in wrist flexion, supination, pronation, volar tilt, radial inclination, radial height, ulnar variance, PRWE scores, and Quick Dash scores at 3 months and 1 year. Conclusions: Radiographic SL-widening is a common finding associated with DRFs undergoing surgical repair. There are similar clinical outcomes between those with untreated SL widening compared to those without an SL widening at 1-year postoperatively.

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Assessment of Pronator Quadratus Repair Integrity Using Dynamic Ultrasonography Following Volar Plate Fixation for Distal Radius Fractures

Hand ◽

10.1177/1558944718787327 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 111-115 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Richard M. Hinds ◽

Nicole Montero-Lopez ◽

Kenneth Brock ◽

Ronald Adler ◽

Anthony Sapienza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Distal Radius ◽

Plate Fixation ◽

Distal Radius Fractures ◽

Volar Plate ◽

Wrist Flexion ◽

Radius Fractures ◽

Pronator Quadratus ◽

Outcome Scores ◽

Volar Plate Fixation ◽

Flexor Pollicis Longus Tendon

Background: Previous work evaluating the pronator quadratus (PQ) muscle following volar plate fixation (VPF) of distal radius fractures (DRF) suggests that PQ repair often fails in the postoperative period. The purpose of this investigation was to assess PQ repair integrity following VPF of DRF using dynamic musculoskeletal ultrasonography. Methods: Twenty adult patients who underwent VPF of DRF with repair of the PQ with a minimum follow-up of 3 months underwent bilateral dynamic wrist ultrasonography. The integrity of the PQ repair, wrist range of motion (ROM) and strength, and functional outcome scores were assessed. Results: Mean patient age at the time of surgery was 59 ± 14 years, and 50% underwent VPF of their dominant wrist. Patients were evaluated at a mean 9 ± 4 months after VPF. All patients had an intact PQ repair. The volar plate was completely covered by the PQ in 55% of patients and was associated with a larger PQ when compared to patients with an incompletely covered volar plate ( P = .026). The flexor pollicis longus tendon was in contact with the volar plate in 20% of patients, with those patients demonstrating a trend toward significantly increased wrist flexion ( P = .053). No difference in ROM, strength, or outcome scores was noted among wrists with completely or incompletely covered volar plates. Conclusions: The PQ demonstrates substantial durability after repair following VPF. Wrist ROM, strength, and functional outcomes are similar in wrists in which the volar plate is completely or incompletely covered by the repaired PQ.

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

Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England ◽

10.1308/003588411x12851639107151 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 93 (1) ◽

pp. 57-60 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

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.

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Volar Plate Fixation with AO Distal Radius Plate (DRP) for Distal Radius Fractures

Orthopedics & Traumatology ◽

10.5035/nishiseisai.54.611 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 54 (3) ◽

pp. 611-616

Author(s):

Kazunobu Arakaki ◽

Hikaru Tashima ◽

Yosuke Asahara ◽

Chikara Deguchi ◽

Futoshi Kuga

Keyword(s):

Distal Radius ◽

Plate Fixation ◽

Distal Radius Fractures ◽

Volar Plate ◽

Radius Fractures ◽

Volar Plate Fixation

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Relationship between the Length of Distal Locking Screws and Diaphyseal Screws in Volar Plate Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand ◽

10.12790/jkssh.2013.18.3.118 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 118 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sung-Woo Huh ◽

Joo-Yup Lee ◽

Nam Hyuk Kim ◽

Il-Jung Park ◽

Yang-Guk Chung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Distal Radius ◽

Plate Fixation ◽

Distal Radius Fractures ◽

Volar Plate ◽

Radius Fractures ◽

Distal Locking ◽

Locking Screws ◽

Volar Plate Fixation

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Immobilization following Distal Radius Fractures: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Journal of Wrist Surgery ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1667302 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 07 (05) ◽

pp. 409-414

Author(s):

J. Hill ◽

Gabriel Bouz ◽

Ali Azad ◽

William Pannell ◽

R. Alluri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Range Of Motion ◽

Grip Strength ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Distal Radius ◽

Plate Fixation ◽

Distal Radius Fractures ◽

Volar Plate ◽

Dash Score ◽

Radius Fractures ◽

Volar Plate Fixation

Background No consensus exists regarding postoperative splinting position following volar plate fixation of distal radius fractures. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether immobilization in supination would result in superior outcomes compared with no restriction of forearm range of motion. Patients and Methods All patients >18 years of age with distal radius fractures indicated for volar plate fixation were eligible. Exclusion criteria were open fracture and concomitant injury to, or functional deficit of, either upper extremity. Patients were randomized to immobilization in (1) maximal supination with a sugar-tong splint or (2) no restriction of supination with a volar splint. Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, and visual analog scale (VAS) score; wrist range of motion; and grip strength were recorded at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively. A Student's t-test was used to compare mean values of all outcome measures at each time point. Results A total of 46 patients enrolled in the study; 28 were immobilized with a volar splint and 18 were immobilized with a sugar-tong splint. Six-week follow-up data were obtained for 32 patients. There was no significant difference in PRWE, DASH, and VAS scores; or range of motion; or grip strength between the two groups postoperatively. Conclusion Range of motion, grip strength, and patient-rated outcome measures were similar regardless of postoperative immobilization technique in patients with a distal radius fractures stabilized with a volar plate. Surgeons can elect to use the standard-of-care postoperative immobilization modality of their preference following volar plate fixation without compromising short-term return to function. Level of Evidence This is a Level II, therapeutic study.

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