Plating the radial shaft on the lateral surface: An outcome study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Traumatology
• Bone fracture repair

Background:

• Plate fixation is the standard treatment for adult forearm shaft fractures.
• Current techniques involve volar or dorsal plating of the radius.
• The lateral surface of the radius offers a suitable area for plate application, aiding in radial bow restoration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of lateral plating for radius shaft fractures.
• To assess the efficacy and safety of this alternative surgical approach.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study included 19 patients with forearm shaft fractures (13 combined, 6 isolated radius).
• Lateral plating of the radius was performed using 3.5 mm limited contact dynamic compression or locking compression plates within 36 hours of injury.
• Ulna fractures were addressed using standard techniques.

Main Results:

• Successful union was achieved in 18 out of 19 patients, with a mean union time of 17.44 weeks.
• Excellent results were observed in 12 patients, satisfactory in 5, and unsatisfactory in 1, based on Anderson et al. criteria.
• One case of nonunion was reported.

Conclusions:

• Lateral plating of the radius demonstrates union rates comparable to existing literature.
• This technique is a viable alternative to volar or dorsal plating for radius shaft fractures.
• Further randomized studies are necessary to confirm any superiority over conventional methods.