Volar locking compression plating fixation for intra-articular distal radial fractures in elderly patients

Objective To evaluate the effects of treatment for intra-articular distal radial fractures in elderly patients with volar locking compression plating fixation.Methods Thirty old patients who suffered from the severe intra-articular distal radial fractures were treated with volar locking compression plating fixation.In this group all the fractures were classified according to AO classification:3 of type B1,7 of type B2,7 of type C1,4 of type C2 and 1 of typeC3.The results of treatment were evaluated by comparing pre-and post-operative observations and X-ray of involved wrists.Results The 22 cases were followed up for an average time of 15 months.The X-ray pictures showed that one-stage union was achieved in all the pictures,with a mean healing time of 12 weeks.Their clinical outcomes were evaluated according to modified Mcbride grading system.16 were rated as excellnt,5 as good and 1 as fair,with the good and excellnt rate being 95.7%.These data were improved postoperatively to the average radial inclination of 20.8 degree,palmar tilt of 8.5 degree and the radial lngth 1.0 cm longer between the ulnar head and the tip of the radial styloid.The radial lngth was found 0.2 cm shorter in cases in the latest follow-up than that measured before.No severe complications were found in this group.Conclusions Volar locking compression plating fixation is one of the effective treatments for intra-articular distal radial fractures in elderly patients.