[Plate osteosynthesis of distal radius fractures--incidence, indications and results]

From 1.1.95 to 31.12.98 133 distal radius fractures were treated surgically. Internal fixation with a plate was carried out in 34 fractures (25%). 17 plates were placed dorsally, 16 plates on the volar aspect and one fracture was treated with a combined dorsal and volar plate. 29/34 fractures (87%) were reviewed 1 year after surgery. All fractures healed without further surgery. No infection occurred. 15 implants were removed. 23/29 (79%) internal fixations showed a good or excellent result, 6/29 (21%) a fair result. These 6 patients had in common: an intraarticular fracture (5), a volar tilt (5), a postoperative algodystrophy (5) or a secondary dorsal displacement (2).

One fourth of all surgically treated distal radius fractures underwent plate osteosynthesis with about 80% of good or excellent results. Dorsal plate osteosynthesis showed better results than volar plate fixation. An additional, temporary external fixator in fractures with radial shortening proved a reliable help intraoperatively. Secondary displacement in these fractures did not occur.