External fixation in distal radius fractures

Background: Distal radius fractures are frequent in emergency departments, treatment is generally conservative, but there are patients who meet certain criteria of instability who need surgical treatment, including external fixation. Aim: To update on the most important elements regarding the use of external fixation in unstable fractures of the distal radius. Methods: The search and analysis of the information was carried out in a period of 30 days (from April 1 to April 30, 2021) and the following words were used: distal radius fractures, distal radius fractures and external fixation and unstable radius fractures from the information obtained, a bibliographic review of a total of 809 articles published in the PubMed databases, Hinari, SciELO and Medline was carried out using the search manager and EndNote reference manager, of which 44 selected citations were used to perform the review, 37 from the last five years. Development: The criteria to be taken into account for the instability described by various authors are indicated, as well as the imaging parameters. The two most used classification systems are mentioned. Reference is made to general surgical indications, external fixation, and placement of additional wires. Complications are discussed and a comparison is made between external fixation and blocked volar plates.

Variation of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve identified within the tendon sheath of the flexor carpal radialis

Purpose: During volar plate fixation of distal radius fractures, we have encountered patients with an anomalous course of the palmar cutaneous branch (PCB) of the median nerve within the sheath of the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) tendon. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and location of variations of the PCB within the sheath of the FCR tendon.Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 83 patients who underwent volar locking plate fixations through a modified Henry approach for distal radius fractures from July 2018 to April 2020. When we encountered an anomalous PCB within the sheath of the FCR tendon, we documented the specific finding and location where the PCB entered the sheath of the FCR tendon.Results: There were nine patients (10.8%) who had an anomalous course of PCB penetrating the sheath of the FCR tendon. The average entering point of PCB into the sheath of the FCR tendon was 3.07 cm from the distal wrist crease (range, 2.5–3.6 cm).Conclusion: An anomalous course of the PCB entering the sheath of the FCR tendon was observed at a high frequency (10.8%). Care must be taken not to injure the PCB during a dissecting of the FCR sheath during a modified Henry approach for a distal radius fracture.

Functional outcomes following fixation of a marginal distal radius fracture with two commonly used volar locking plates: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction The volar locking plate has been widely used for unstable distal radius fractures to provide early recovery of wrist function. Volar plate prominence to the watershed line has been reported to be related to flexor tendon irritation, and avoid implant prominence in this area was suggested. On the other hand, marginal distal radius fracture patterns required the plate to cross the watershed line, making conflict over plate positioning on marginal distal radius fractures. This study compared functional outcomes in patients with marginal distal radius fractures treated with two different implants. Materials and methods A retrospective study was conducted, all patients who received a Synthes 2.4 mm LCP or an Acumed Acu-Loc VLP between January 2015 and December 2018 were reviewed. The marginal distal radius fracture pattern was the most distal horizontal fracture line within 10 mm of the lunate fossa’s joint line. The primary outcomes including patient-reported pain scores, range of motion, and grip strength were assessed. Secondary outcomes included patient-based subjective satisfaction scores of the injured wrist and hand function. The Mayo Wrist Score and the requirement for a secondary procedure related to hardware complications were also recorded. Results Forty-two patients met our inclusion criteria. Twenty-one patients were treated with the Synthes 2.4 mm LCP, and 21 patients with the Acumed Acu-Loc VLP. The primary outcome revealed that post-operative range of motion (P = 0.016) and grip strengths (P = 0.014) were significantly improved in the Acu-Loc VLP group. The MAYO wrist score in the Acu-Loc VLP group was also significantly better (P = 0.006). Conclusions Despite advances in implant designs, flexor tendon irritation or rupture is still a complication following distal radius’s volar plating. We believe the Acumed Acu-Loc VLP design provided better functional outcomes than the Synthes 2.4 mm LCP if appropriately and carefully placed into its designed-for position. This positioning results in promising patient satisfaction when treating marginal distal radius fractures.

Radiographic Outcomes following K-Wire Augmentation of Dorsal Spanning Plate Fixation for Intra-Articular Fractures of the Distal Radius

Background Restoration of articular surface alignment is critical in treating intra-articular distal radius fractures. Dorsal spanning plate fixation functions as an internal distraction mechanism and can be advantageous in the setting of highly comminuted fracture patterns, polytrauma patients, and patients with radiocarpal instability. The addition of K-wires to support articular surface reduction potentially augments fracture repair stability. Questions/Purposes We examined the radiographic outcomes and maintenance of reduction in patients with comminuted intra-articular distal radius fractures treated with K-wire fixation of articular fragments followed by dorsal spanning plate application. Patients and Methods We reviewed 35 consecutive patients with complex intra-articular distal radius fractures treated with dorsal spanning plate and K-wire fixation between April 2016 and October 2019. AO classification was recorded: B1 (3), B3 (2), C2 (2), C3 (28). A two-tailed paired t-test was used to compare findings immediately post-dorsal spanning plate surgery and at final follow-up after dorsal spanning plate removal. Results Mean patient age was 43.3 years (19–78 years). Mean follow-up was 7.8 months (SD 4.3 months) from surgery and 2.5 months from pin removal (SD 2.6 months). All patients achieved radiographic union. Radial height (mean interval change (MIC) 0.2 mm, SD 2.2, p = 0.63), articular step-off (MIC 0.1 mm, SD 0.6 mm, p = 0.88), and radial inclination (MIC −1.1 degrees, SD 3.7 degrees, p = 0.10) did not change from post-surgery to final follow-up. Ulnar variance (MIC −0.9 mm, SD 2.0 mm, p = 0.02) and volar tilt (MIC −1.5 degrees, SD 4.4 degrees, p = 0.05) were found to have decreased. Conclusion Dorsal spanning plate augmented with K-wire fixation for comminuted intra-articular distal radius fractures in polytrauma patients allows for immediate weightbearing and maintains articular surface alignment at radiographic union and may provide better articular restoration than treatment with dorsal spanning plate alone. Level of Evidence This is a Level IV, therapeutic study.