Locked volar plating for complex distal radius fractures: Patient reported outcomes and satisfaction
Author(s)
Anakwe, RE
Khan, LAK
Cook, RE
McEachan, JE
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
Distal radius fractures are common. The increasing prevalence of osteoporosis contributes to frequently complex articular injuries sustained even after low energy falls. The best method of treating complex type C distal radius fractures is debated. Locked volar plating and external fixation are both widely used with good reported results. Measures of success are traditionally based on technical measurements or the perception of the surgeon. Patient reported measures of outcome are increasingly recognised as important markers of surgical success. We report our experience using locked volar plating for complex type C distal radius fractures as well as patient reported measures of success and satisfaction.
Methods
Over a 12 month period we treated 21 patients with type C distal radius fractures using locked volar plating. These patients were followed up for at least 12 months and the outcome was assessed using clinical examination, grip strength measurements, radiographs and Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) scoring.
Results
The 21 patients studied had an average age of 48 years. There were 8 men and 13 women. All of the fractures had united by 3 months. There were no cases of wound infection or tendon injury/irritation. Patients reported low pain scores, good patient rated wrist evaluation scores and high levels of satisfaction.
Conclusions
Locked volar plating for complex distal radius fractures produces good results when assessed using patient reported measures of outcome. Further work should address whether locked volar plating offers superior outcomes and patient satisfaction compared to external fixation.
Distal radius fractures are common. The increasing prevalence of osteoporosis contributes to frequently complex articular injuries sustained even after low energy falls. The best method of treating complex type C distal radius fractures is debated. Locked volar plating and external fixation are both widely used with good reported results. Measures of success are traditionally based on technical measurements or the perception of the surgeon. Patient reported measures of outcome are increasingly recognised as important markers of surgical success. We report our experience using locked volar plating for complex type C distal radius fractures as well as patient reported measures of success and satisfaction.
Methods
Over a 12 month period we treated 21 patients with type C distal radius fractures using locked volar plating. These patients were followed up for at least 12 months and the outcome was assessed using clinical examination, grip strength measurements, radiographs and Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) scoring.
Results
The 21 patients studied had an average age of 48 years. There were 8 men and 13 women. All of the fractures had united by 3 months. There were no cases of wound infection or tendon injury/irritation. Patients reported low pain scores, good patient rated wrist evaluation scores and high levels of satisfaction.
Conclusions
Locked volar plating for complex distal radius fractures produces good results when assessed using patient reported measures of outcome. Further work should address whether locked volar plating offers superior outcomes and patient satisfaction compared to external fixation.
Date Issued
2010-08-05
Date Acceptance
2010-08-05
Citation
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 2010, 5, pp.1-6
ISSN
1749-799X
Publisher
BioMed Central
Start Page
1
End Page
6
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Volume
5
Copyright Statement
© 2010 Anakwe et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in
any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in
any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000208386400051&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=a2bf6146997ec60c407a63945d4e92bb
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Orthopedics
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 51
Date Publish Online
2010-08-05