Does Pronator Quadratus Repair Affect the Functional Outcome Following Volar Plate Fixation for Distal End Radius...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Upper Extremity Trauma
• Fracture Management

Background:

• Distal radius fractures are common upper extremity injuries requiring surgery.
• Volar plate fixation involves dividing the pronator quadratus muscle.
• The necessity of repairing this muscle after fixation is debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare functional outcomes in patients with distal radius fractures treated with volar plate fixation.
• To evaluate differences between those who underwent pronator quadratus repair and those who did not.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 60 patients with distal radius fractures.
• Stratification into pronator quadratus repair (n=31) and non-repair (n=29) groups.
• Functional assessment using Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation, range of motion, grip strength, and isokinetic rotation at multiple postoperative intervals.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in baseline demographics between groups.
• Equivalent functional recovery at six months (Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation scores).
• Initial biomechanical advantages in pronation and wrist extension in the repair group, but no difference in grip strength or overall isokinetic rotation strength.

Conclusions:

• Pronator quadratus repair after volar plate fixation for distal radius fractures does not yield significant long-term functional benefits.
• Findings support prioritizing operative efficiency without compromising patient care.
• Potential soft tissue coverage benefits of repair warrant consideration.