title: Volar locking plate fixation for distal radius fractures: Does age affect outcome?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The AAOS guidelines are unable to recommend for or against operative treatment of distal radius fractures in older patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study compares the outcomes of older patients (≥60 years) against a cohort of younger patients treated with volar locking plate (VLP) fixation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed 78 patients, comparing range of movement (ROM), grip and pinch strength, subjective Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for pain and function and composite outcome scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in clinical outcomes between the two groups at six months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Open reduction and VLP for distal radius fractures gives comparable outcomes in the older population.
authors.affiliation: University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ezzat
authors.affiliation: University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, United Kingdom; Department of Trauma Orthopaedics, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Santosh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baliga
authors.affiliation: University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, United Kingdom; Department of Trauma Orthopaedics, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carnegie
authors.affiliation: University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, United Kingdom; Department of Trauma Orthopaedics, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Johnstone
keywords: Age related outcomes; Distal radius fracture; Open reduction internal fixation; Osteoporosis; Volar locking plate