Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Surgical treatment of distal radius fractures with an angle fixed bar palmar plating system: a single center study of 102 patients over a 2-year period

  • Trauma Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Most fractures of the distal radius can be treated by conservative means; however, unstable distal radius fractures (DRFs) require surgical fixation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate functional and radiographic results of DRFs treated with a palmar plating system regarding patient’s quality of life.

Methods

This study reports a total number of 104 DRFs in 102 patients, operatively treated, over a 2-year period with a mean follow up time of 15.6 ± 7.2 months The patient’s average age was 59.9 ± 18.0 years. The results were evaluated according to the scores of Gartland and Werley, Castaing and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) outcome questionnaire.

Results

Ninety-three patients were evaluated at final examination. Excellent and good results were achieved for 92 (98.9%) patients according to score of Gartland and Werley and for 86 (92.5%) patients regarding the scoring system of Castaing. The DASH outcome questionnaire averaged 8.0 ± 13.7 points.

Interpretation

This study shows, in a representative number of cases, that palmar plating of unstable fractures of the distal radius is a safe and effective treatment modality. Early surgical treatment results in optimal outcome regarding patient’s quality of life.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aroroa R, Lutz M, Fritz D, Zimmermann R, Oberladstätter J, Gabl M (2005) Palmar locking plate for treatment of unstable dorsal dislocated distal radius fractures. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 125:399–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Atroshi I, Gummesson C, Andersson B, Dahlgren E, Johansson A (2000) The disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) outcome questionnaire. Acta Orthop Scan 71(6):613–618

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Bradway JK, Amadio PC, Cooney WP (1989) Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced, comminuted intra-articular fractures of the distal end of the radius. J Bone Jt Surg 71A(6):839–847

    Google Scholar 

  4. Brug E, Joosten U, Püllen M (2000) Brüche am distalen Unterarm: Welche Therapie ist wann indiziert? Orthopäde 29:318–326

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Brunner U, Habermeyer P, Schweiberer L (1989) Frakturen des distalen Radius. Orthopäde 18:214–224

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Chapman RD, Bennett JB, Bryan WJ, Tullos HS (1982) Complications of distal radius fractures: pins and plaster treatment. J Hand Surg 7:509–512

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Cooney WP, Dobyns JH, Linscheid RL (1980) Complications of Colles’ fractures. J Bone Jt Surg 62A(4):613–619

    Google Scholar 

  8. Fitoussi F, Ip WY, Chow SP (1997) Treatment of displaced intra-articular fractures of the distal end of the radius with plates. J Bone Jt Surg (Am) 79(9):1303–1312

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Gartland JJ, Werley CW (1951) Evaluation of healed Colles’ fractures. J Bone Jt Surg 33A:895–907

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hove LM, Nilsen PT, Furnes O, Oulie HE, Solheim E, Mölster AO (1997) Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced intraarticular fractures of the distal radius. Acta Orthop Scand 68(1):59–63

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Jakob M, Rikli DA, Regazzoni P (2000) Fractures of the distal radius treated by internal fixation and early function: a prospective study of 73 consecutive patients. J Bone Jt Surg (Br) 82B(3):340–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Jupiter JB, Fernandez DL, Toh CL, Fellman T, Ring D (1996) Operative treatment of volar intra-articular fractures of the distal end of the radius. J Bone Jt Surg (Am) 78A(12):1817–1828

    Google Scholar 

  13. Keating JF, Court-Brown CM, McQueen MM (1994) Internal fixation of volar-displaced distal radial fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Br 76(3):401–405

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Letsch R, Infanger M. Schmidt J, Kock HJ (2003) Surgical treatment of fractures of the distal radius with plates: a comparison of palmar and dorsal plate position. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 123:333–339

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Maciel JS, Taylor NF, McIlveen C (2005) A randomised clinical trial of activity-focussed physiotherapy on patients with distal radius fractures. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 1:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  16. McConnel S, Beaton DE, Bombardier C (1999) Disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand: the DASH outcome measure user’s manual, 1st edn. Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario

    Google Scholar 

  17. McKay SD, MacDermid JC, Roth JH, Richards RS (2001) Assessment of complications of distal radius fractures and development of a complication checklist. J Hand Surg (Am) 26A(5):916–922

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Müller ME, Nazarian S, Koch P, Schatzker J (1990) The comprehensive classification of long bones. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp 54–63

    Google Scholar 

  19. Orbay JL, Fernandez DL (2002) Volar fixation for dorsally displaced fractures of the distal radius: a preliminary report. J Hand Surg [Am] 27(2):205–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Schmalholz A (1989) Closed re-reduction of axial compression in Colles’ fracture is hardly possible. Acta Orthop Scand 60:57–59

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Smith DW, Brou KE, Henry MH (2004) Early active rehabilitation for operatively stabilized distal radius fractures. J Hand Ther 17:43–49

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Thielke KH, Wagner T, Bartsch S, Echtermeyer V (2003) Winkelstabile, volare Plattenosteosynthese komplexer artikulärer Frakturen am distalen radius: Lösung einer Problemfraktur. Chirurg 74:1057–1063

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Wagner HE, Jakob RP (1985) Operative Behandlung der distalen Radiusfraktur mit Fixateur externe. Unfallchirurg 88:473–480

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Westphal T, Piatek S, Schubert S, Winckler S (2005) Outcome after surgery of distal radius fractures: no differences between external fixation and ORIF. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 22:1–8

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, District Hospital of Weiz, Franz-Pichler-Straße 85, 8160, Weiz, Austria

    Gerald Gruber, Gerwin A. Bernhardt, Gernot Köhler & Karl Gruber

  2. Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 29, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Gerwin A. Bernhardt

Authors
  1. Gerald Gruber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gerwin A. Bernhardt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gernot Köhler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Karl Gruber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gerald Gruber.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gruber, G., Bernhardt, G.A., Köhler, G. et al. Surgical treatment of distal radius fractures with an angle fixed bar palmar plating system: a single center study of 102 patients over a 2-year period. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 126, 680–685 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-006-0191-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-006-0191-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation