Prospective multicenter trial of a plate for dorsal fixation of distal radius fractures

• Published in: The Journal of hand surgery (American ed.) Vol. 22; no. 5; p. 777
• Main Authors: Ring, D, Jupiter, J B, Brennwald, J, Büchler, U, Hastings, 2nd, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1997
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Bone Plates; Equipment Design; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fracture Fixation, Internal - instrumentation; Fracture Healing - physiology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications - diagnostic imaging; Prospective Studies; Radiography; Radius Fractures - classification; Radius Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Radius Fractures - surgery; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Reoperation; Treatment Outcome; Wrist Injuries - classification; Wrist Injuries - diagnostic imaging; Wrist Injuries - surgery
• ISSN: 0363-5023
• DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(97)80069-x

A new plate designed specifically to address complex wrist pathology was used for the internal fixation of 22 complex fractures of the distal radius in 22 patients in a prospective multicenter trial. The majority of fractures were group C2- and C3-type fractures according to the Comprehensive Classification of Fractures. No plate failures, loss of reduction, nonunions, or infections occurred. Within the average follow-up time of 14 months, the functional results (including an average motion of 76% and an average grip strength of 56% of the contralateral side) were comparable to those reported for similar fractures in previous investigations. Five patients had irritation of the tendons in the second dorsal compartment. This trial serves both as a verification of the safety and efficacy of this distal radius plate as well as a demonstration of its utility in the treatment of complex fractures of the distal radius.