title: Displaced intra-articular fractures involving the volar rim of the distal radius.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the features of displaced intra-articular fractures confined to the volar rim of the distal radius and compare outcomes after their operative fixation to complete intra-articular and extra-articular fractures treated with operative fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 627 distal radius fractures were treated over a 6-year period. Twenty-eight patients had volar rim fractures (type 23-B3, as classified by the Orthopaedic Trauma Association [OTA]), all treated with operative reduction and fixation using a volar buttress plate. Clinical outcome information including radiographs, Short Form-36 health survey, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire were collected at regular postoperative intervals. Patients with volar rim fractures were compared with patients who sustained other types of operatively managed distal radius fractures (OTA types 23-A, 23-B1/B2, and 23-C).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common type of volar rim fracture consisted of a single large fragment (OTA 23-B3.2; 46%), followed by comminuted fractures (OTA 23-B3.3; 36%). Restoration of radiographic parameters was similar between groups except for an increased volar tilt in volar rim fractures compared with group 23-B1/B2. Active wrist and finger motion improved in all groups except for wrist extension, which was less in the 23-B1/B2 groups. The 23-B1/B2 group had the greatest pain and worst Short Form-36 scores. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire scores were similar and without differences between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that patients with volar rim distal radius fractures can expect a rapid return to function with minimal risk for complications and have outcomes similar to other types of operatively treated distal radius fractures. Further investigation of type 23-B fractures (23-B1/B2) is warranted owing to evidence of diminished outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases, NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Jamaica, NY.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marcano
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases, NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Jamaica, NY.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Taormina
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases, NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Jamaica, NY.
authors.forename: Raj
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karia
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases, NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Jamaica, NY.
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Paksima
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases, NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Jamaica, NY.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Posner
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases, NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Jamaica, NY. Electronic address: ljegol@att.net.
authors.forename: Kenneth A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Egol
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dislocation; distal radius; intra-articular; marginal; shearing