title: Mid-term functional outcome after the internal fixation of distal radius fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Distal radius fracture is a common injury with a variety of operative and non-operative management options. There remains debate as to the optimal treatment for a given patient and fracture. Despite the popularity of volar locking plate fixation, there are few large cohort or long term follow up studies to justify this modality. Our aim was to report the functional outcome of a large number of patients at a significant follow up time after fixation of their distal radius with a volar locking plate.
  
  
  METHODS
  180 patients with 183 fractures and a mean age of 62.4 years were followed up retrospectively at a mean of 30 months (Standard deviation=10.4). Functional assessment was performed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and modified MAYO wrist scores. Statistical analysis was performed to identify possible variables affecting outcome and radiographs were assessed to determine time to fracture union.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median DASH score was 2.3 and median MAYO score was 90 for the whole group. Overall, 133 patients (74%) had a good or excellent DASH and MAYO score. Statistical analysis showed that no specific variable including gender, age, fracture type, post-operative immobilisation or surgeon grade significantly affected outcome. Complications occurred in 27 patients (15%) and in 11 patients were major (6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This single centre large population series demonstrates good to excellent results in the majority of patients after volar locking plate fixation of the distal radius, with complication rates comparable to other non-operative and operative treatment modalities. On this basis we recommend this mode of fixation for distal radius fractures requiting operative intervention.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Department, Frimley Park Hospital, Camberley, GU16 7UJ, UK. joideep@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Joideep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Phadnis
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trompeter
authors.forename: Kieran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bradshaw
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053401:Palmar Plate / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult