title: The effects of a displaced dorsal rim fracture on outcomes after volar plate fixation of a distal radius fracture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to determine whether a displaced dorsal rim fracture has an adverse effect on wrist function after volar plate fixation of a dorsally displaced distal radius fracture (DRF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two matched cohorts of 23 matched patients, one with a displaced dorsal rim fracture >2mm (group 1), and the other without a dorsal rim fracture (group 2) were analysed in this study of volar locking plate fixation for dorsally unstable DRFs. The two cohorts were analysed for differences in wrist function and wrist pain, radiographic parameters and arthritic grades of radiocarpal joints. Displacement of dorsal rim fragments and diameters of the retained articular portions of dorsal rims in group 1 were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was found between the two groups in overall wrist function or wrist pain. Mean displacement of dorsal rims in group 1 was 3.0mm and the mean diameter of the retained articular portion of dorsal articular wall was 2.0mm. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of any radiographic parameters or the arthritic grading of radiocarpal joints.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A displaced dorsal rim fracture does not appear to affect outcomes adversely after volar locking plate fixation of dorsally displaced DRFs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, 911-1 Mok-5-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul 158-710, South Korea. kimjk@ewha.ac.kr
authors.forename: Jae Kwang
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung Whan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001860:Bone Plates; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053401:Palmar Plate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult