Meta-analysis of the efficacy of volar plate internal fixation versus closed reduction and external fixation in the treatment of adult distal radius fractures

Objective:To compare the efficacy of open reduction and volar locking plate internal fixation with closed reduction and external fixation in the treatment of distal radius fractures by using meta analysis.Methods:The databases of CNKI,Wanfang,Weipu,Chinese biomedical literature,Pubmed,Embase,and Cochrane Library were retrieved,and the randomized controlled studies that directly compared the efficacy of plate internal fixation and closed reduction external fixation in the treatment of distal radius fractures published publicly from the establishment of the database to April 2023 were collected.The two researchers independently screened the retrieved literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,extracted data,used Cochrane risk bias assessment tool for quality assessment,and used RevMan 5.4 software for meta analysis.Results:A total of 10 randomized controlled trials were included,all of which were in English.There were 1042 patients in total,and 9 of them were rated as low risk.Meta analysis results showed that one year after the treatment of distal radius fracture with volar locking plate internal fixation,DASH score[MD=-5.64,95%CI(-7.21,-4.06),P<0.00001];One year later,PRWE score[MD=-5.90,95%CI(-8.88,-2.92),P=0.001];Palm flexion[MD=5.92,95%CI(1.29,10.55),P=0.01];Pronation[MD=2.48,95%CI(0.59,4.36),P=0.01];Postrotation[MD=4.73,95%CI(2.15,7.31),P=0.0003];Grip strength[MD=0.61,95%CI(0.12,1.10),P=0.02];palmar tilt angle[MD=9.84,95%CI(5.66,14.02),P<0.00001];Radial inclination[MD=4.33,95%CI(2.97,5.69),P<0.00001]was superior to closed reduction plaster or splint external fixation.One year later,the European Five dimensional Health Scale(EQ-5D-5L)score[MD=0.02,95%CI(-0.01,0.05),P=0.27];Back extension[MD=2.22,95%CI(-4.15,8.59),P=0.49];Ulnar deviation[MD=3.49,95%CI(-0.80,7.78),P=0.11];Radial deviation[MD=2.05,95%CI(-2.39,6.50),P=0.37];Ulnar variance[MD=-1.14,95%CI(-3.16,0.88),P=0.27];There was no significant difference in complications[MD=0.77,95%CI(0.54,1.10),P=0.16](P>0.05).Conclusion:Based on the current clinical data,internal fixation with volar locking plate is more conducive to mid-term DASH score and grip strength recovery than closed reduction plaster or splint external fixation,but there is no significant difference in the quality of life and complications of patients.For adult distal radius fractures,surgical indications should be carefully grasped,and non operative treatment should be given priority.

Dynamic External Fixator Combined with Volar Locking Plate Fixation for the Treatment of AO Type C3 Distal Radius Fractures

Background: AO type C3 distal radius fracture (DRF) is the most difficult-to-treat fracture type because of a tendency to shorten and collapse. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of comminuted intra-articular DRFs treated with a dynamic external fixator combined with a volar locking plate (VLP). Methods: Eleven patients (mean age, 61 years) with comminuted intra-articular DRFs were treated with a dynamic type of external fixator combined with a VLP. Following reduction and fixation with a VLP, the dynamic external fixator was applied and the distal ball joint of the fixator was aligned with the lunate-capitate line. The ball joint was unlocked approximately 2 weeks after surgery to allow wrist mobilization. The fixator was removed 3 - 6 weeks (mean, 5 weeks) after surgery. Consequently, clinical and radiographic assessments were carried out at the final follow-up. Results: At the final follow-up, the mean range values of wrist extension and flexion were 76&deg;and 64&deg;, respectively. Compared with the contralateral side, the mean grip strength was 84%. The mean Modified Mayo Wrist Score and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score were 88 and 9, respectively. No significant differences in the radiographic parameters exist between after surgery and final follow-up. Conclusions: This study indicated that the dynamic wrist fixator combined with a VLP is effective for the treatment of AO type C3 DRFs.

A comparative study of variable angle volar plate and bridging external fixator with K-wire augmentation in comminuted distal radius fractures

Purpose:Comminuted intraarticular distal radial fractures are difficult to treat conservatively and require operative treatment.This study compared the functional outcomes between variable angle volar plating and external fixator with K-wire augmentation in open reduction and internal fixation.Methods:A total of 62 adult patients with comminuted intraarticular distal radius fracture were randomized into 2 groups:volar plate group and external fixator group.These patients aged between 18 and 60 years had unilateral fractures,and agreed to be included in the study.Patients with a history of fracture,bilateral fracture,associated other injuries,delayed injury for more than 2 weeks,open fracture,pre-existing arthrosis or disability,psychiatric illness and pathological fracture were excluded.Patients were followed up at 6 weeks,3 months,6 months and 1 year.The assessment of pain,functional activity,range of motion and grip strength was done at each stage of follow-up.The pain and functional activities were assessed by patient rated wrist evaluation(PRWE)score and disabilities of the arm,shoulder and hand(DASH)score.Results:Patients in volar plate group had superior PRWE score and DASH score at each stage of followup.At 1 year follow-up,the mean PRWE score were 7.48 for volar plate group and 7.35 for external fixator group;while the mean DASH score was 4.65 for volar plate group and 5.61 for external fixator group.They had better flexion and extension range of movement.They also had better pronation and supination range of motion at initial follow-up,however the difference get attenuated by 1 year.Volar plate group had significantly better grip strength than external fixator group.Complication rates were higher in external fixation group.Conclusion:Fixation with variable angle volar plate results in early wrist mobilization,better range of movement,less pain and disability and early return of function.

Do we really need to repair the pronator quadratus after distal radius plating?

Purpose:Fractures of distal radius are one of the common orthopaedic injuries.Placing the plate on volar surface requires release of underlying pronator quadratus(PQ)muscle.No consensus is present in the literature about the repair or not of the PQ.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of PQ repair on functional outcome and complications.Methods:Retrospectively 83 patients of distal radius fractures managed with volar plating between 2014 and 2016 were evaluated.Demographic data,operative notes and physical therapy records were retrieved.Patients were divided into group A where PQ repair was done and group B where no repair was done.Functional data such as range of motion(ROM),grip strength,visual analogue scale(VAS)score and disabilities of arm,shoulder and hand(DASH)score at 4 weeks,3 months,6 months and finial follow-up were retrieved.Results:Totally 63 patients(n=29 in group A and n=34 in group B)with the mean age of 51.64 years were examined.Patients were followed up for a mean of 35.2 months(range 27.2-47.1 months)in group A and 38.6 months(range 28.6-51.0 months)in group B.Though functional outcome of the affected limb was not significantly different between two groups after 3 months,PQ repair did affect the recovery at an early stage.Repair group had significantly better ROM(p=0.0383)and VAS score at 4 weeks(p=0.017)while grip strength(p=0.014)was significantly better at 3 months.Conclusions:Repair of PQ may provide pain relief and increased ROM in early postoperative period and hence every attempt should be made to achieve the repair.