[Comparison between fixation with dorsal T plate and palmar locking plate in the treatment of unstable displaced distal radius fractures].
OBJECTIVE
We compared the results of fixation with dorsal T plate and palmar locking plate in the treatment of unstable displaced distal radius fractures.


METHODS
Sixty-three patients (64 radii) with distal radius fractures were treated with dorsal T plate (n=41) or palmar locking plate (n=23). The mean age was 46+/-14 years (range 21 to 82 years) in the dorsal and 47+/-14 years (range 18 to 69 years) in the palmar plate groups. The fractures were classified according to the AO/ASIF system. Objective and subjective functional assessments were made using the Gartland-Werley and Quick-DASH scales, respectively. The mean follow-up was 78+/-19 months (range 12 to 101 months) and 18+/-5 months (range 12 to 28 months) with dorsal and palmar plating, respectively.


RESULTS
The mean Gartland-Werley and Quick-DASH scores were 2.3+/-2.1 (range 0 to 9) and 2.0+/-2.2 (range 0 to 9) with dorsal plating, and 2.0+/-2.1 (range 0 to 6) and 1.9+/-2.7 (range 0 to 9) with palmar plating, respectively. The two groups did not differ with respect to the Gartland-Werley and Quick-DASH scores (p>0.05). Time to return to work or daily activities was also similar (1.9+/-0.3 months vs 1.8+/-0.4 months). However, patients treated with dorsal plating exhibited significantly greater values in the following parameters measured on early and late postoperative radiograms: loss of palmar tilt (p=0.001), radial height (p=0.001), radial inclination (p=0.049), and change in ulnar variance (p=0.049). Moreover, complications were seen in eight patients (19.5%) with dorsal plating, whereas no complications occurred with palmar locking plate (p=0.024).


CONCLUSIONS
Although the two fixation methods do not differ with respect to functional results, palmar locking plating seems to provide a more rigid fixation resulting in significantly reduced collapse and a very low complication rate.
Nalbantoğlu
Ufuk
U
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery (Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Bölümü, El ve Ust Ekstremite Cerrahisi Servisi), Acibadem Kadiköy Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Gereli
Arel
A
Uçar
Yavuz
Y
Türkmen
Metin
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult