title: Volar plate fixation of AO type C2 and C3 distal radius fractures, a single-center study of 55 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We hypothesized that volar locked plate fixation of AO type C2 or C3 fractures could effectively maintain radiographic reduction as shown by comparison of immediate postoperative alignment and that seen after more than 12 months' follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level II trauma center located in a suburban area.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-five adult patients with intra-articular fractures of the distal radius.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open reduction and internal fixation with a locked volar plate and screws.
  
  
  METHODS
  Volar tilt, radial inclination, radial length, and articular incongruity were radiologically assessed immediately postoperatively and at the time of final follow-up (mean follow-up: 29 +/- 7 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At final radiographic examination, the average loss of volar tilt was 1.9 +/- 3.3 degrees (P < 0.001) and the average loss of radial inclination was 1.4 +/- 2.8 degrees (P < 0.001). Four patients had more than 5 degrees loss of radial inclination (7.8%), and 22 patients (43.1%) had more than 5 degrees loss of volar tilt. Radial shortening was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The treatment of intra-articular fractures of the distal radius with a volar locked plating system is associated with a small but statistically significant loss of volar tilt and radial inclination upon comparison of immediate postoperative alignment with that seen after more than 12 months' follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Graz University Hospital, Graz, Austria. gerald.gruber@klinikum-graz.at
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gruber
authors.forename: Gruber
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gerald
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gruber
authors.forename: Gruber
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Karl
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giessauf
authors.forename: Giessauf
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Christian
authors.forename: Heimo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Clar
authors.forename: Clar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heimo
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zacherl
authors.forename: Zacherl
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Max
authors.forename: Florentine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fuerst
authors.forename: Fuerst
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Florentine
authors.forename: Gerwin A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Bernhardt
authors.forename: Bernhardt G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Alexander
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053401:Palmar Plate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*