![]() Locking plates provide cantilever loading, preventing forces running through the fracture site by bridging the fracture giving comminuted and osteoporotic fractures a better chance to heal. Stability is not dependent upon friction between the plate and bone so the periosteal blood supply is maintained. Despite the plate not providing a dorsal buttress, the angular stability afforded is mechanically strong enough to hold the reduction of dorsally comminuted and dorsally tilted fractures in fragile bone. Anatomically designed volar locking plates have seen a surge in use over the last decade with mainly good functional and radiological results being reported. The ageing population is causing a rapidly increased incidence of fragility fractures of the distal radius. Variable-angle locking systems benefit from the flexibility of implant positioning and may allow enhanced inter-fragmentary reduction for accurate fixation of intra-articular fractures.įractures of the distal radius are common injuries and occur in patients of all ages. Seven patients had screws misplaced outside the distal radius although three of these remained asymptomatic. Mean postoperative grip strength was 23.8 kg, which was comparable to the contralateral side at 31.5 kg. The mean ranges of movement were only mildly restricted compared to the normal wrist (flexion/extension = 102° radial/ulna deviation = 53° pronation/supination = 169°). Radiographs were reviewed to assess restoration of anatomy and union.Īll but two fractures united within six weeks. Outcome measures included the DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score, wrist range of movement and grip strength, and complications. We assessed 61 consecutive patients with distal radius fractures (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) grade A=19, B=9, C=33) fixed using an Aptus® plate with a minimum of six months follow-up. This is a retrospective bi-centre study collecting patient details from a district general hospital and a regional hand unit. This study examines the clinical, functional and radiological outcomes of distal radius fracture fixation with the Aptus® (Medartis, Pennsylvania) locking plate in order to determine its efficacy and identify notable findings related to treatment variations. ![]()
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