| Objectives: To summarize the outcome and indications in treatment of distal radius fractures with LCP.Methods: From October 2005 to September 2007, 26(27 sides) cases distal radius fractures were treated with locking compression plates, including 3 cases open fractures. Of the patients, 14(15 sides) males and 12 females with an average age of 51(19-80) years were included in the study. According to the AO classification, there were 2A2 fractures, 4A3 fractures, 2B2 fractures, 9B3 fractures, 4C1 fractures, 3C2 fractures and 3C3 fractures. 22 sides were treated with palmar approach, 2 sides with dorsal approach, and 3C3 types were combined with the both. The effects were compared to analyze the volar tilt, radial inclination, radial shortening, joint discrepancies and wrist function preoperation and postoperation.Results: All the cases were followed up for an average of 12 months(5 to 25 months), all the fractures were union for an average of 7 weeks(5 to 25 weeks). According to the wrist function and X-ray indicators of the final follow-up, the volar tilt, radial inclination, radial shortening, joint discrepancies and wrist function were improved remarkably in all patients. The average wrist motions of postoperative were as follows: palmar flexion, 60 degrees; dorsiflexion, 65 degrees; ulnar deviation, 30 degrees; radial deviation, 20 degrees; pronation, 75 degrees; and supination, 75 degrees. The average grip strength restored to 89 percent of contralateral. According to Gartland-Werley scale, 15 sides were excellent, 10 sides good, 2 sides fair, demons- trating 93 percent good and excellent results. One patient with C3 type fracture had a mild displacement 3 weeks after operation, no reoperation, additional plaster cast fixation for 3 weeks, the fracture was healed, had a mild deformity and dysfunction was not obvious. One case with the complication of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), the symptom turned better with physiotherapy treatment.Conclusions: The treatment of unstable fractures AO types A, B, C1, C2.1, C2.2 distal radial fractures with unilateral LCP combined with Kirschners wire or screws showed good radiological and functional results. For the joint surface and metaphyses comminuted types C2.3, C3 fractures, using palmar, dorsal approaches and bilateral plates fixation could be achieved satisfactory clinical effects. |
