Prospective Study of Distal End Radius Fracture Volar Type Treated with Open Reduction Internal Fixation with Plating

Abstract

Background Distal radius fractures are the most frequent fractures in the upper extremity. In adults they show a wide range of variation and are responsible for 10–20% of all skeletal fractures. The advent of fixed-angle locking plates has addressed inadequacies such as non-locked plates and has improved fracture healing. The purpose of this study was to
investigate the efficacy volar locking plate in the management of the intra-articular and extra-articular volar fractures of distal end of radius of as well as to report the radiological and functional outcomes.

Aims and Objectives To study the role of locking plate in volar fractures of distal end radius.

Materials and Methods This prospective study comprised 25 patients. Fresh simple volar fracture (age >20 yrs) of lower end of radius presenting within a week of injury, who were treated with volar locking plate fixation at tertiary care teaching hospital was carried out from April 2012 to November 2014. Patients were evaluated for Stewart I radiological scoring system and Functional Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) scoring system. The radiological and functional outcomes were measured and analysed using the ANOVA chi square test.

Results According to Stewart score, in this study, 22 (88%) cases showed satisfactory anatomical results (good and excellent) hence volar fractures of distal radius is associated with satisfactory anatomical end result. Patient rated wrist evaluation scoring showed 22 patients with satisfactory functional results (good and excellent) considering pain and functional activities and 3 patients with unsatisfactory results (fair and poor).

Conclusion Open reduction and internal fixation with volar Locking plating has excellent functional outcome with minimal complications thus proving that it is a good modality of treatment for distal end radius fractures.