Treatment of unstable distal radial fractures with volar locking compression plate

Objective To evaluate the treatment results of unstable distal radial fracture with volar locking compression plate(LCP).Methods 21 cases of unstable fractures of distal radius were treated with open reduction and LCP fixation through volar approach.Five of the patients underwent bone graft.Results A follow-up of 6 to 19(mean 13.0±3.9)months revealed healed fracture in all cases with a mean volar deviation angle of 9.6°±3.7°and a mean ulnar deviation of 21.4°±2.3°of the distal radius.Radial shortening ≥2 mm occurred in 2 cases,2 mm in the orthers.Articular displacement was 1 mm in all cases.With the modified Gartland and Werley system,the wrist functions were evaluated as 14 excellent cases,5 good,1 fair,and 1 poor.Conclusions The unstable distal radial fractures can be effectively treated with open reduction and LCP fixation through the volar approach.The subsidence of the radial articular surface can well be prevented and bone healing can be accelerated with supplementary bone graft.