title: Volar versus dorsal latest-generation variable-angle locking plates for the fixation of AO type 23C 2.1 distal radius fractures: a biomechanical study in cadavers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anatomicaly preformed variable-angle locking plates are technologically mature and appear to be optimal for the fixation of distal radius fractures. However, there is still much argument about whether volar plating is equivalent to dorsal (buttressing) plating, especially in the management of intra-articular extension fractures. This biomechanical study was performed to determine, in a simple intra-articular fracture model, whether dorsal or volar plate constructs would be more stable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six pairs of fresh frozen radii were examined with dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA) to determine their bone mineral density (BMD). An AO type 23 C2.1 fracture was created. Volar fixation was with a 2.4mm Variable-Angle LCP Two-Column Volar Distal Radius Plate; dorsal fixation was with two orthogonal 2.4 mm Variable-Angle LCP Dorsal Distal Radius Plates (both devices: Synthes, Oberdorf, Switzerland). Biomechanical testing used a proven protocol involving static tests of stiffness, and a cyclic test to obtain range of motion (ROM), maximum deformation, and subsidence data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the constructs failed during biomechanical testing. The two groups (volar and dorsal plating, respectively) did not differ significantly in terms of initial (pre-cyclic-testing) and final (post-cyclic-testing) stiffness. Equally, there was no significant difference between the subsidence values in the two groups. The post-cyclic-testing ROM was significantly greater in the dorsal-plate group as compared with the volar-plate group. The volar constructs showed a significant decrease in the ROM between pre- and post-cyclic testing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biomechanically, volar plating with a modern variable-angle locking plate is equivalent to dorsal plating with two modern variable-angle locking plates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Erlanger Allee 101, D-07740 Jena, Germany. Sascha.Rausch@med.uni-jena.de
authors.forename: Sascha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rausch
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schlonski
authors.forename: Kajetan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klos
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gras
authors.forename: Boyko
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gueorguiev
authors.forename: Gunther O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mückley
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001860:Bone Plates; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008875:Middle Aged; D053401:Palmar Plate / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*