Reduction Loss After Distal Radius Fracture Fixation With Locked Volar Plates

Distal radius fractures are among the most common injuries in the upper extremity. While many studies have looked at the maintenance of reduction with volar locking plates, there is a paucity of literature comparing the ability of different plates to maintain reduction over time. This study reviews the ability of various plates to maintain radiographic reduction at union after distal radius fracture treatment. Loss of some aspect of fracture reduction was routinely observed following locked volar plating regardless of implant. However, choice of implant did have a significant impact on final radiographic alignment, particularly with respect to volar tilt and ulnar variance. Yet, selecting between a fixed angle versus a variable angle was not found to make a difference in maintaining reduction. The authors recommend that surgeons take these findings into consideration when selecting a volar locking plate. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 26(3):160–165, 2017)
Key words: distal radius fracture, loss of reduction, volar locking plate