Comparison of Operative Management in Distal Radius Fractures Using 3.5 mm Versus 2.4 mm Volar Locking Compression Plates

Sung-Sik Ha; Tae-Ho Kim; Ki-Do Hong; Jae-Chun Sim; Jong Hyun Kim

doi:10.12671/jkfs.2011.24.2.156

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Ha, Kim, Hong, Sim, and Kim: Comparison of Operative Management in Distal Radius Fractures Using 3.5 mm Versus 2.4 mm Volar Locking Compression Plates

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Fracture Society

Journal of the Korean Fracture Society 2011; 24(2): 156-162.

Published online: 13 April 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2011.24.2.156

Comparison of Operative Management in Distal Radius Fractures Using 3.5 mm Versus 2.4 mm Volar Locking Compression Plates

Sung-Sik Ha, M.D., Tae-Ho Kim, M.D., Ki-Do Hong, M.D., Jae-Chun Sim, M.D., Jong Hyun Kim, M.D.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sahmyook Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Tae-Ho Kim, M.D. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sahmyook Medical Center, 29-1, Hwigyoung 2-dong Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-711, Korea. Tel: 82-2-2210-3581, Fax: 82-2-2217-1897, oskimth@naver.com

Received 18 August 2010 Revised 9 November 2010 Accepted 16 February 2011

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate clinical and radiological results using 3.5 mm & 2.4 mm volar locking compression plate (LCP) in distal radius fractures.

Materials and Methods

This study reviewed the results of 115 cases of distal radius fractures treated with 3.5 mm volar LCP (73 cases) & 2.4 mm volar LCP (42 cases) from September 2003 to June 2009. The radiographic results were evaluated by radiographic assessment, and the clinical results were evaluated by Knirk and Jupiter's criteria, Modified Mayo wrist scoring system and DASH score.

Results

Radiological evaluation of the radial length, radial inclination, volar tilt and intraarticular step off were improved both 3.5 mm volar LCP and 2.4 mm volar LCP. Nine cases of arthritis occured in 3.5 mm volar LCP and 7 cases in 2.4 mm volar by using the Knirk and Jupiter's criteria. The mean score evaluated by Modified Mayo was 86.7 in 3.5 mm volar LCP and 84.8 in 2.4 mm volar LCP. DASH score was 11.2 point in 3.5 mm volar LCP, 10.9 point in 2.4 mm volar LCP. All cases showed bone union showing no evidence of malunion, nounion, nor metal failure.

Conclusion

Distal radius fractures treated with 3.5 mm volar LCP and 2.4 mm volar LCP show satisfying radiological and clinical outcome.

Keywords: Radius, Distal radius fracture, Volar locking compression plate

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

(A) Photograph shows 3.5 mm LCP distal radius plate.

(B) Photograph shows 2.4 mm locking distal radius system.

Fig. 2

(A) 52 year old female patient presented with distal radius fracture as AO classification C1.

(B) Postoperative radiographs show acceptable reduction with 3.5 mm LCP distal radius plate.

(C) Postoperative 17 months radiographs show complete bone union.

Fig. 3

(A) 64 year old male patient presented with distal radius fracture as AO classification C2.

(B) Postoperative radiographs show volar fixation using 2.4 mm locking distal radius system.

(C) Postoperative 12 months radiographs show locking compression screws are involved on the artricular surface. The patient had limitation in range of motion as flexion, extension because of wrist pain.

Table 1

Demographic data

Table 2

Results according to the radiographic evlauation

Table 3

Radiologic evaluation by fracture type treated with 3.5 mm LCP distal radius plate

Group A: Fracture type A2,3, B2, C1 (46 cases), Group B: Fracture type C2,3 (27 cases).

Table 4

Radiologic evaluation by fracture type treated with 2.4 mm locking distal radius system

Group A: Fracture type A2,3, B2, C1 (46 cases), Group B: Fracture type C2,3 (27 cases).

Table 5

Arthritic grading system of Knirk and Jupiter and results of this study

Table 6

Clinical evaluation by Mayo wrist score system

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