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Outcomes and complications of fractures of distal radius (AO type B and C): volar plating versus nonoperative treatment

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Orthopaedic Science

An Erratum to this article was published on 11 July 2014

Abstract

Objectives

Management of AO type B and C fractures of the distal radius is controversial. This study compares outcomes and complications of AO type B and C fractures of the distal radius treated with volar locked plating and nonoperative methods.

Materials and methods

Sixty-four patients with fractures of the distal radius (AO type B and C) were included in this study, according to inclusion criteria, and were allocated to the volar plating group or nonoperative group by alternate randomization: 32 patients with odd numbers went into the nonoperative group and the other 32 with even numbers went into the volar plating group. Patients in the nonoperative group were managed with closed reduction of the fracture and plaster cast application under an image intensifier. Those in the volar plating group were managed by open reduction and fixation with a volar locked plate. Preoperative and postoperative serial clinico-radiological follow-up was done. The range of movement, grip strength, functional outcome scores and radiological parameters were compared. Student’s t-test was used for statistical analysis with significance at p < 0.05.

Results

Range of movement and functional scores were significantly (p < 0.001) better in the volar plating group, but the difference in ulnar variance and radial and ulnar deviation was insignificant as compared to the nonoperative group. At 24 months follow-up, the nonoperative group had significantly more cases with malunion, articular incongruity and osteoarthritis.

Conclusion

In cases of AO type B or C fractures of the distal radius, volar locked plating provides anatomical stable fixation and early mobilization with better clinico-radiological outcome as compared to conservative treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Varanasi, India

    Himanshu Sharma, Ghanshyam Narayan Khare & Saurabh Singh

  2. Department of Orthopedics, SMIMS, Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu, India

    Arun Govindraj Ramaswamy

  3. MAMC, New Delhi, India

    Vinay Kumaraswamy

  4. Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Institute of Medical Sciences, C 1/157, Vishesh Khand, Gomti Nagar, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, 226010, India

    Ashutosh Kumar Singh

Authors
  1. Himanshu Sharma
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  2. Ghanshyam Narayan Khare
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  3. Saurabh Singh
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  4. Arun Govindraj Ramaswamy
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  5. Vinay Kumaraswamy
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  6. Ashutosh Kumar Singh
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Correspondence to Ashutosh Kumar Singh.

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Sharma, H., Khare, G.N., Singh, S. et al. Outcomes and complications of fractures of distal radius (AO type B and C): volar plating versus nonoperative treatment. J Orthop Sci 19, 537–544 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-014-0560-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-014-0560-0

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