Open reduction through original fracture line and fixation with locking plate is a feasible approach for extra-articular distal radius fracture malunion

• Published in: Joint diseases and related surgery 2022-01, Vol.33 (3), p.489-495
• Main Authors: Bu, Guoyun, Wei, Wanfu, Li, Jian’an, Yang, Tao, Li, Mingxin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original
• ISSN: 2687-4784; 2687-4792
• DOI: 10.52312/jdrs.2022.590

OBJECTIVESThis study aims to investigate the effectiveness of open reduction through original fracture line and fixation with locking plate in treatment of extra-articular distal radius fracture (DRF) malunion. PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween January 2015 and December 2018, a total of 69 patients (27 males, 42 females; mean age: 62.0±8.9 years; range, 46 to 70 years) suffering from symptomatic extra-articular DRF malunion were included. All patients were followed for more than six months. Patient's demographics, hand dominance, data including Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire, pain on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, radius height, ulnar variance, wrist range of motion, volar tilt and radial inclination before and after surgery were analyzed. RESULTSThe median follow-up was 14.13 months, and the median time to fracture healing after the operation was 14.25 weeks. The mean QuickDASH score and VAS score were significantly reduced from 63.4±13.97 and 4.6±1.23 preoperatively to 7.8±4.67 and 1.3±0.76 at the final follow-up, respectively. Radius height, ulnar variance, volar tilt, radial inclination and wrist range of motion (flexion, extension, pronation, supination) were all significantly improved (p