A randomized comparison of locking and non-locking palmar plating for unstable Colles’ fractures in the elderly

• Published in: Journal of hand surgery, British volume British volume, 2005-10, Vol.30 (5), p.499-503
• Main Authors: Koshimune, M., Kamano, M., Takamatsu, K., Ohashi, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Bone Plates; elderly people; Female; Fracture Fixation, Internal - instrumentation; Fracture Fixation, Internal - methods; Fracture Healing - physiology; fracture of the distal radius; Fractures, Bone - diagnostic imaging; Fractures, Bone - physiopathology; Fractures, Bone - surgery; Humans; Joint Instability - diagnostic imaging; Joint Instability - physiopathology; Joint Instability - surgery; locking plate; Male; non-locking plate; palmar approach; Prosthesis Design; Radiography; Radius Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Radius Fractures - physiopathology; Radius Fractures - surgery; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0266-7681; 1532-2211
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsb.2005.04.018

This study compared the effectiveness of locking and non-locking palmar plating for unstable Colles’ fractures in the elderly. The patients treated with locking plates included 4 men and 18 women with a mean age of 68 years (Group A) and those treated with non-locking plates included 3 men and 28 women with a mean age of 74 years (Group B). Radiographic parameters, including palmar tilt, radial inclination and radial length were measured before surgery, after surgery and at final followup. There were no significant differences in respect of any of the radiographic parameters between the two groups pre-operatively. After surgery, all of the radiographic parameters were improved in both groups and there were no significant differences between the two groups at final followup.