Drobetz H, Black A, Davies J, Buttner P, Heal C. Screw placement is everything: Risk factors for loss of reduction with volar locking distal radius plates.
World J Orthop 2018;
9:203-209. [PMID:
30364833 PMCID:
PMC6198296 DOI:
10.5312/wjo.v9.i10.203]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM
To determine factors correlated with postoperative radial shortening in patients with distal radius fractures treated with volar locking distal radius plates.
METHODS
A total of 250 patients with a distal radius fracture stabilised with volar locking plates between January 2010 and December 2014 were included in a multicentre retrospective cohort study. We measured the distance of the distal locking screws to the joint line immediately postoperatively and then measured radial shortening after six to eight weeks using the change in ulnar variance.
RESULTS
Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that there was a significant linear association between the distance of the screws from the joint line and radial shortening. No other patient, injury, or treatment-related characteristic significantly influenced radial shortening in multivariate analysis.
CONCLUSION
Distal locking screws should be placed as close as possible to the subchondral joint line to prevent postoperative loss of reduction.
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