title: Results of dorsal or volar plate fixation of AO type C3 distal radius fractures: a retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to define the outcome after dorsal or volar plating of Association for Osteosynthesis (AO) type C3 distal radius fractures based on the fracture morphology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine patients with AO type C3 distal radius fractures were surgically managed between 1996 and 2005. Group 1 (n = 15) had volar plating. Group 2 (n = 14) had dorsal plating. Outcomes were evaluated at an average of 22 months after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon test and chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were seen for the scores of Gartland and Werley, Castaing, Stewart I and II, Green and O'Brien, and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand between the 2 groups. The visual and verbal pain analog scales did not show significant differences between the 2 groups. Radiology analysis showed significant difference in comparison with the contralateral side in terms of dorsopalmar inclination (3 degrees +/- 3) and distal radioulnar joint angle (98 degrees +/- 8) for the patients in group 1, whereas there were no significant differences in group 2. The development of radiographic post-traumatic arthritis was significant in both groups. Significant functional differences were seen for flexion (45 degrees +/- 15) and hand span (20 cm +/- 2) in group 1 as well as for extension (37 degrees +/- 19), flexion (42 degrees +/- 12), and radial deviation (16 degrees +/- 10) in group 2. We found more complications after dorsal plate osteosynthesis than after volar plate osteosynthesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows satisfactory functional and subjective outcome results in both groups. Group 1 had non-significant better functional results than group 2, whereas both groups showed good to very good radiology results.
authors.affiliation: Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital of Dresden, Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Dresden, Germany. susanne.rein@web.de
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rein
authors.forename: Hartmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schikore
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schneiders
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amlang
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zwipp
mesh_terms: D001168:Arthritis / Q000209:etiology; D001860:Bone Plates; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery