Radiological and Functional Outcomes Following Distal Radius Fixation With a Volar Locking Plate

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Traumatology
• Radiology

Background:

• Distal radius fractures are increasingly common due to rising life expectancy.
• Current treatments include closed reduction with casting or open reduction with volar locking plates.
• Assessing patient satisfaction and radiographic outcomes is crucial for treatment evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient satisfaction following volar locking plate fixation for distal radius fractures.
• To assess the degree of articular surface collapse at six weeks post-surgery.
• To correlate radiographic parameters with patient-reported satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• A study included 149 patients undergoing volar locking plate fixation for distal radius fractures.
• Radiographic measurements (radial height, radial inclination, volar tilt, articular surface to distal screw distance) were taken preoperatively, intraoperatively, and at six weeks.
• Patient satisfaction was assessed at the final follow-up.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in distal radius radiological parameters post-fixation (P < 0.05).
• A significant collapse of the articular surface (decrease in articular surface to distal screw distance) was noted at six weeks (P < 0.05).
• Patients satisfied with the outcome had a greater mean articular surface to distal screw distance (4.84 mm) compared to unsatisfied patients (4.50 mm).

Conclusions:

• Volar locking plate fixation significantly improves radiological parameters for distal radius fractures at six weeks.
• Articular surface collapse is a significant finding at six weeks post-fixation.
• Maintaining a greater articular surface to distal screw distance is associated with higher patient satisfaction.