J Korean Fract Soc.  2014 Jan;27(1):23-28. 10.12671/jkfs.2014.27.1.23.

Clinical Assessment after the Volar Locking Plate Removal of Distal Radius Fracture

• Gwak HC
• Kim JY
• Kong GM
• Kim JW
• Kwak JY
• Kim DG

• KMID: 1816998
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2014.27.1.23

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes after removing the volar locking plate for distal radius fracture.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of 34 patients, 36 cases after removing the plates among 150 patients, with 162 cases that underwent open reduction and internal fixation using the volar locking plate between January 2006 and May 2011. We performed preoperative and postoperative clinical assessments using the quick-disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (Q-DASH), the visual analog scale (VAS) score, and the range of motion on wrist, grip and pinch power.
RESULTS
The major reason for plate removal was the time to remove the plate according to the fracture union and the patient's demand without other specific complaints (28 cases). The mean preoperative VAS score was 1.78 and the mean postoperative VAS score 1.81 (p=0.64). The mean preoperative Q-DASH score was 30.02 and the mean postoperative Q-DASH score 38.46 (p<0.001). The mean preoperative grip and pinch power were 18.14 kg and 7.67 kg. The mean postoperative grip and pinch power were 15.27 kg and 6.94 kg (p=0.23).
CONCLUSION
The removal of the volar locking plate for distal radius fracture should be decided by considering the patient's clinical and socioeconomic conditions carefully.

Keyword

Distal radius fracture; Volar locking plate; Plate removal

MeSH Terms

Arm
Hand
Hand Strength
Humans
Medical Records
Radius Fractures*
Radius*
Range of Motion, Articular
Retrospective Studies
Shoulder
Visual Analog Scale
Wrist

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