Comparison of functional outcome after volar plate fixation with 2.4-mm titanium versus 3.5-mm stainless-steel plate for extra-articular fracture of distal radius.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Open reduction and locked volar plate and screw fixation is a popular treatment method for extra-articular distal radius fractures with dorsal metaphyseal comminution. In this study, we compared the use of a titanium 2.4-mm precontoured plate with that of a stainless-steel oblique 3.5-mm T-shaped plate to test the null hypothesis that there would be no difference in wrist function or upper extremity-specific health status in the internal fixation of AO-type A3.2 distal radius fractures.

METHODS:

We retrospectively analyzed 24 patients treated with a 2.4-mm titanium plate and 38 patients treated with a 3.5-mm stainless-steel plate for an extra-articular and dorsally angulated distal radius fracture, from data gathered in a prospective cohort study of plate and screw fixation of distal radius fractures. The 2 cohorts were analyzed for differences in motion, grip strength, pain, Gartland and Werley score, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score, and Short Form-36 score at 6, 12, and 24 months of follow-up. Group differences and their change over time were determined using regression analysis and the likelihood ratio test.

RESULTS:

There were no significant differences in wrist function and arm-specific health status between patients treated with a 2.4-mm plate and those treated with a 3.5-mm plate at 6, 12, or 24 months of follow-up. However, we observed a trend toward greater wrist flexion at 1 year (66 degrees vs 55 degrees ; p=.07) and greater flexion-extension arc (137 degrees vs 123 degrees ; p=.08) and pronation-supination arc (172 degrees vs 160 degrees ; p=.07) at 24 months after surgery in patients treated with a 2.4-mm plate.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with a dorsally angulated extra-articular distal radius facture can expect similar results when treated with either a precontoured 2.4-mm titanium plate or a 3.5-mm stainless-steel T-shaped plate.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic III.

• Authors: J Sebastiaan Souer, David Ring, Stefan Matschke, Laurent Audige, Marta Maren-Hubert, Jesse Jupiter
• Journal: The Journal of hand surgery (J Hand Surg Am) Vol. 35 Issue 3 Pg. 398-405 (Mar 2010) ISSN: 1531-6564 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20138716 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Chemical References

• Stainless Steel

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Bone Plates
• Bone Screws
• Female
• Fracture Fixation, Internal (instrumentation)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Radius Fractures (surgery)
• Recovery of Function
• Regression Analysis
• Stainless Steel
• Treatment Outcome