title: Volar fixed-angle plating of the distal radius.
abstract: The treatment of unstable distal radius fractures continues to improve as better methods of skeletal fixation and soft-tissue management are developed. Apart from closed reduction and percutaneous pinning of simpler fracture patterns, the three main methods of management are external fixation, dorsal plating, and volar fixed-angle plating. Specific advantages of volar fixed-angle plating include stable fixed-angle support that permits early active wrist rehabilitation, direct fracture reduction, and fewer soft-tissue and tendon problems. Volar fixed-angle plating also avoids the complications often associated with external fixation and dorsal plating. Biomechanical data indicate that, when loaded to failure, volar fixed-angle plates have significant strength advantages over dorsal plating. Volar fixed-angle plating is advantageous in elderly osteopenic patients and for high-energy comminuted fractures and malunions requiring osteotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Texas School of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Dean W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Henry
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*