title: Intra-articular distal radius fractures: Postoperative roentgenographic and functional outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the outcome of volarlocking compression plate fixation for intra-articular distal radius fractures with respect to function of hand and roentgenographic parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  The retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised patients who underwent locking compression plate fixation for intra-articular distal radius fractures between June 2009 and July 2012. Case notes, radiographic assessment and functional outcomes were noted. Functional outcome was determined with the help of telephone-based quick-dash score questionnaire administered atleast 6 months post-surgery. Radiological assessment of radial inclination, radial height and volar tilt was measured on immediate postoperative radiographs and then again measured at last available follow-up which ranged from 4 to 116 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the 43 patients in the study was 47.31±14.24 years (range: 20-95 years) at the time of injury. Mean Quick Dash score at 6-month follow-up was 17.2±8.8 (range: 4-40). The outcome was very good in 1(2.2%), good in 30(66.7%), satisfactory in 10(22.2%) and poor in 4(8.9%) patients. Mean immediate postoperative radial inclination, volar tilt and radial height were 17.26±3.23°, 7.6±3.87° and 10.2±1.95mm respectively. Corresponding values at the last follow-up were 17±3.89°, 7.67±4.28° and 9.8±1.8mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of locking compression plate for intra-articular distal radius fracture showed good results comparable with global literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Shahid
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shahryar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noordin
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Pervaiz Mehmood
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Hashmi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Distal radius fracture, Locking compression plate, Outcome.