title: The effect of brachioradialis release during distal radius fracture fixation on elbow flexion strength and wrist function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify whether brachioradialis (BR) release during volar plate fixation for a distal radius fracture affects elbow flexion strength and wrist function.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 42 consecutive patients who were treated by open reduction volar plate fixation for unstable distal radius fractures were enrolled in this study. The BR was not released in 20 of 42 patients (BR preserved group) and was released in 22 patients (BR released group). The primary outcome variable was isokinetic strength and endurance testing of elbow flexion measured by the Cybex isokinetic system 3 months after surgery. Measured at the same time, secondary outcome variables were grip strength, a visual analog scale score for wrist pain, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, and radiographic parameters. We used Mann-Whitney U tests to compare these variables between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neither elbow flexion strength and endurance nor any of the secondary outcome variables differed significantly between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Release of the BR during a volar approach for a distal radius fracture did not adversely affect elbow flexion strength and wrist function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prognostic III.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, Ewha Woman University, School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: kimjk@ewha.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jae Kwang
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, Ewha Woman University, School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, Ewha Woman University, School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Joon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, Ewha Woman University, School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hasuk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, Ewha Woman University, School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: So-yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D058971:Tenotomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Brachioradialis; distal radius fracture; elbow flexion strength; volar plate