title: The use of a single volar locking plate for AO C3-type distal radius fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A single volar locking plate (VLP) is now frequently used for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of many types of distal radius fractures. Comminuted intra-articular distal radius fractures (AO C3-type) are typically the most challenging to surgically treat. No studies directly address the adequacy of a VLP alone for maintaining reduction of AO C-type fractures. We hypothesized that a single VLP provides an effective method for maintaining reduction for these fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated radiographs of a series of AO C-type fractures. Seventy-seven patients with 77 AO C3-type fractures were identified from billing records and were eligible for the study. All patients were treated by fellowship-trained hand surgeons. Radiographs at the time of union were compared to those from immediately postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-nine of 77 (89.6 %) fractures treated with VLP fixation alone for AO C3-type distal radius fractures united without loss of reduction. Eight of 77 (10.4 %) patients treated with VLP for AO C3 fractures lost reduction. The most common fracture fragment to lose reduction was the lunate fossa (5 of 8); loss of reduction of the scaphoid fossa die-punch fragment (2 of 8) and the radial styloid (1 of 8) were also seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority (89.6 %) of AO C3-type fractures treated with a single volar locking plate come to union without loss of reduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115 USA.
authors.forename: Brandon E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Earp
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115 USA.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115 USA.
authors.forename: Philip E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Blazar
keywords: Distal radius fracture; Volar locking plate