Clinical and functional outcomes of volar tilt distal radius fractures osteosynthesis by using conventional plate

Abstract

Introduction: Volar tilt distal radius fractures are uncommon. This study evaluated the Clinical and functional outcomes of volar tilt distal radius fractures osteosynthesis by using conventional plate. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective and analytical study, performed over 8 years. All the patients with volar tilt distal radius fracture who underwent osteosynthesis by volar plating using conventional plate were included. The subjective assessment was based on the patients’ satisfaction index. The objective assessment was based on the clinical examination and the functional Green-O’brien score. Results: We collected 37 patients (31 males, 6 females). The mean age was 40 years old. The road accidents were the main cause. The dominant side was affected in 21 patients. In 31 patients, the fracture was extra-articular. The everage lateral glenoid angle was 18.9° preoperatively. In 2 patients, the plate osteosynthesis was associated with kirschner wire fixation. The mean follow up was 1 year 6 months. We evaluated 21 patients. The averages lateral glenoid angle was 12.6°. Nineteen patients were very satisfied. The mean Green-O’Brien score was 80.2.Three cases of posttraumatic osteoarthritis were seen, 2 cases of infection, one of wrist stiffness and complex regional pain syndrome Conclusion: The volar tilt distal radius fractures are the most unfrequent type of distal radius fractures. The use of conventional plate in the treatment gives a satisfactory clinical and functional results with less complication.