Treatment of intraarticular distal radius fractures by locking compression plate

Objective To evaluate the preliminary outcome of treatment of intraarticular distal radius fractures by locking compression plate.Methods From April 2003 to November 2006,23 patients(10 males and 13 females,aged 27-81 years,mean 54 years) with intraarticular distal radius fracture were treated with locking compression plate.According to AO classification,2 cases belonged to type B2,7 to type B3,2 to type C1,9 to type C2,and 3 to type C3.Every patient was fixed through the volar approach.All of them were closed fractures.Heterogeneous bone was implanted in,those with large bone defect.The postoperative functional recovery lasted from 6 to 27 weeks with an average of 11.2 weeks.Passive wrist motion,active finger motion and forearm rotation were encouraged immediately after surgery.Active wrist motion was enconraged seven days postoperation.Results All the 23 cases were followed up for 6 to 30 months,with an average time of 19.7 months.The X-ray pictures showed that bone union by first intention was achieved in all the patients,with a mean healing time of 7.2 weeks.No infection or non-union was found.The mean range of motion of the wrist reached 71.3°of flexion,69.1°of extension,25.2°of ulnar deviation,19.5°of radial deviation,80.2°of pronation,and 79.7°of supination.No such complications were found as infection,non-union,loosened nails,carpal tunnel syndrome,arthritis or median neuritis.According to the modified Mcbride grading system,14 were rated as excellent,8 as good and 1 as fair,with their good-excellent rate being 95.7%.Conclusions LCP can ensure a good fixation in the treatment of intra-articular distal radius fractures and early exercise was allowed.It reduces the quantity of bone lose caused by long-term fixation,and achieves satisfactory wrist function.