title: DISTAL RADIAL FRACTURES IN PATIENTS OVER 60 YEARS OLD: ORTHOGONAL PLATES VERSUS VOLAR PLATE.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the results from surgical treatment between volar plates with angular stability and orthogonal plates in unstable distal radius fractures, in patients aged over 60 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients were divided into two groups that were treated with volar plates or orthogonal plates. Clinical and radiographic results were analyzed prospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study groups presented similar clinical and radiographic results six months after the operation. However, three months after the surgery, the volar plate group had superior results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both group presented good functional results. Surgical treatment enabled early rehabilitation. The orthogonal plate technique required a longer learning curve, presented more complications and worse initial results.
authors.affiliation: PhD. Attending Physician, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo.
authors.forename: Edgard Novaes
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: de França Bisneto
authors.affiliation: PhD. Attending Physician, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo.
authors.forename: Emygdio José Leomil
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: de Paula
authors.affiliation: PhD. Attending Physician, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo.
authors.forename: Marcelo Rosa
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: de Resende
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo.
authors.forename: Rames Mattar
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Júnior
authors.affiliation: Titular Professor, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo.
authors.forename: Arnaldo Valdir
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Zumiotti
keywords: Distal Radius Fractures; Fractures in the Elderly; Orthogonal Plates; Volar Plates