Abstract
Introduction and Objectives: Volar osteosynthesis with plates with angular stability in dorsal fractures has revolutionized the treatment of wrist fractures, since fixation is sufficiently stable to allow early physiotherapy and prevent fracture collapse, avoiding the great drawbacks of alternative treatments in unstable fractures.
Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of 64 cases of wrist fracture with instability and dorsal deviation treated by means of a volar plate with angular stability. We carried out a clinical assessment that included: a quick-dash functional questionnaire, range of mobility, pain using a Virtual Analog Scale, fist grasping strength (Jamar dynamometer), associated lesions and postoperative complications. Radiological assessment included radiometry of the distal radius, time to radiological consolidation, and radiological post-traumatic complications. The statistical assessment of variables was carried out with an SPSS program version 15.0 for Windows.
Results: We found that 86% of the patients were satisfied with the functional results, with a mean quick-dash score of 3.5. Radiological consolidation was achieved in all cases, without any need of a dorsal graft. Radiometry showed a morphology of the distal radius with no statistical differences when compared to the contralateral wrist.
Discussion and Conclusions: This is an effective, reliable, reproducible method for the surgical treatment of unstable fractures of the distal radius, with minimum morbidity and early functional recovery.
The abstracts were prepared by E. Carlos Rodríguez-Merchán, Editor-in-Chief of the Spanish Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (Revista Española de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología). Correspondence should be addressed to him at: Sociedad Española de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, calle Fernández de los Ríos 108, 28015-Madrid, Spain
