title: Risk of tendon entrapment under a dorsal bridge plate in a distal radius fracture model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the risk of iatrogenic damage to the extensor tendons and sensory nerves under a bridge plate along the second versus third metacarpal.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using 6 paired (left-right) cadaver forearms-wrists and via a volar approach, we created a distal radius fracture with metaphyseal comminution. We then applied a dorsal distraction plate to either the second or third metacarpal. We next performed dorsal dissection of the hand and wrist over the zone of injury to determine the position of the plate relative to the extensor tendons and sensory nerves.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The bridge plate on the third metacarpal entrapped tendons of the first and third compartment in all 6 specimens. When the plate was applied to the second metacarpal there were no cases of tendon entrapment. There were no instances of nerve entrapment in plating to either the second or third metacarpal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Distraction plating has been proposed for use in the second and third metacarpals for unstable comminuted distal radius fractures. We recommend formal exposure of the extensor tendons over the zone of injury when applying a distraction bridge plate to the third metacarpal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plating to the second metacarpal decreases the risk of entrapment of extensor tendons compared with plating to the third metacarpal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Electronic address: sarahlew9@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mostofi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stevanovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Alidad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghiassi
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002102:Cadaver; D052737:Carpometacarpal Joints / Q000601:surgery*; D004210:Dissection; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000601:surgery; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D053682:Tendon Entrapment / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014953:Wrist / Q000601:surgery; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Distal radius fracture; bridge plate; dorsal distraction plate