Abstract
Volar locking plating treatment results in fragmented intra-articular distal radius fractures in adults.
Twenty-five patients (14 men, 11 women; mean age, 44.32±12.12 years) who were treated with volar locking plates due to distal radius fractures were prospectively studied. Among the fractures, 44% were C2 and 56% were C3, according to the AO classification system. Clinical analyses were performed using the Gartland and Werley scale, the short version of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH), and the visual analogue scale (VAS); radiological evaluations were performed using the Stewart evaluation criteria.
The mean patient follow-up time was 20.36±7.62 months. According to the Gartland and Werley assessment scale, 68.0% of the patients (n = 17) had excellent results, 28.0% (n =7) had good results, and 4.0% (n =1) had poor results. The mean VAS score was 0.84±1.07, and the quick-average DASH subjective question score was 7.07±12.95. According to the Stewart score, the percentages of patients with perfect and good results were 92% and 8%, respectively. Among the patients, the mean grip strength was 77.3% when it was evaluated on the healthy side. One patient was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, while another patient was diagnosed with flexor tenosynovitis and paraesthesia in the distribution of the median nerve; two patients were diagnosed with flexor tenosynovitis.
Volar locking plating is an effective surgical method for treating distal radius fractures. The plate should be properly placed during surgery, and post-operative movement should begin early.