Treatment of the Communited Distal Radius Fracture Using Volar Locking Plate Fixation with Allogenic Cancellous Bone Graft in the Elderly

Abstract

Purpose: We studied results of the communited distal radius fracture treated with allogenic cancellous bone graft and volar locking plate in the elderly. Materials and Methods: We studied 29 cases of communited distal radius fracture treated with allogenic cancellous bone graft and volar locking plate from April 2009 to April 2013. Fracture was classified according to AO/OTA classification. Postoperative clinical evaluation was performed with measurement of wrist range of motion (ROM) at last follow-up, modified Mayo wrist scoring system (MMWS), and visual analogue pain scale (VAS). Radiologic evaluation was performed with measurement of radial length on immediate postoperation and last follow-up, radial inclination, volar tilt and ulnar variance checked at the last follow-up using Sarmiento criteria. Results: Using the MMWS, 13 cases were classified as ‘good’, 10 ‘fair’, and 5 ‘normal’. The average wrist ROM was 88.5% for flexion, 92.2% for extension, 90.5% for adduction, and 94.0% for abduction. The average VAS was 1.7. On the last follow-up, average radius length, radial inclination and volar tilt did not show statistically significant improvement (p＞0.05) compared to immediate post operation measurements, and according to Sarmiento criteria, 5 cases were classified as ‘good’, 14 ‘fair’, and 7 ‘normal’. Conclusion: Treatment of severe communited distal radius fracture accompanied by bone defect with volar locking plate and allogenic cancellous bone graft is a satisfying and effective treatment method in the elderly.