A new method to predict the outcome of the volar locked plate treatment for distal radius fracture

Hui Yao,Yichun Xu,Kaihua Liu,Weijia Zhang,Wenbin Xu

doi:10.1186/s12891-019-2931-3

Abstract

BackgroundVolar locked plate for distal radius fracture is one of the common procedures performed in trauma surgery. There are already some factors which can be used to predict the functional outcome after volar locked plating for distal radius fracture. However their limitations caused that the outcomes couldn’t be satisfactorily predicted. Better factors for predicting the prognosis more precisely are of great interest. The aim of this study is to introduce such a new factor.MethodsA total of 56 patients suffered from unilateral distal radius fracture were managed operatively with the volar locked plate. Before operation, all CT scans of the distal radius were obtained. The ratios of soft tissue circumference to bone circumference at the watershed line in the distal radius were calculated based on the preoperative CT scans. Outcomes were evaluated after operation. The correlations between the ratio and the outcomes were analyzed using single factor linear regression analysis.ResultsStatistically significant linear relationships between the ratio and flexion degrees, extension degrees also patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) scores were discovered. With the increase of the ratios, the flexion and extension range increased and the PRWE scores declined.ConclusionsThere are obvious linear relationships between the ratio and postoperative wrist flexion-extension degrees also PRWE scores when using volar locked plating for distal radius fracture. So the ratio can be used as a predictor aiding surgeons to predict the outcome.

Highlights

Volar locked plate for distal radius fracture is one of the common procedures performed in trauma surgery
Belloti JC et al [11] found that ulnar styloid fracture may be a predictive factor of worse functional outcome for distal radius fracture (DRF)
We introduce a new index which can be measured in figures and calculated precisely to predict the outcomes of Volar locked plate (VLP) treatment for DRF

Summary

Introduction

Volar locked plate for distal radius fracture is one of the common procedures performed in trauma surgery. There are already some factors which can be used to predict the functional outcome after volar locked plating for distal radius fracture. Their limitations caused that the outcomes couldn’t be satisfactorily predicted. There are already some factors reported to predict the functional outcomes following DRF. Myderrizi N [10] found that factors such as age, AO classification, distal radial ulnar joint injury, ulnar styloid fracture and initial displacement are predictive of reduction loss. Belloti JC et al [11] found that ulnar styloid fracture may be a predictive factor of worse functional outcome for DRF

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion