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J Hand Microsurg 2015; 07(01): 18-24
DOI: 10.1007/s12593-014-0155-1
Original Article
Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Private Ltd.

Functional Outcome and Complications at 2.5 Years Following Volar Locking Plate Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures

Robert J. MacFarlane
1   The Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool Upper Limb Unit, Prescot Street, Liverpool, L7 8XP, UK
,
David Miller
2   Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Leighton Hospital, Middlewich Road, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 4QJ, UK
,
Lynn Wilson
3   The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7AG, UK
,
Carl Meyer
3   The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7AG, UK
,
Cronan Kerin
3   The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7AG, UK
,
David James Ford
3   The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7AG, UK
,
Graham Cheung
1   The Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool Upper Limb Unit, Prescot Street, Liverpool, L7 8XP, UK
› Author Affiliations
Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

14 March 2014

18 August 2014

Publication Date:
13 September 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Distal radius fractures are increasingly treated by internal fixation, but there have been relatively few studies relating to functional outcome at 12 months or more. The aim of this study was to ascertain the patient reported function of the wrist at a minimum of 12 months following fixation of a distal radius fracture, the time taken to return to work, and the complication rate. We conducted a retrospective review of 187 consecutive patients treated by a specialist hand and wrist trauma team at a tertiary referral unit over a 5 year period. Mean age was 57.3 years (range 16–93). Median time to surgery was 4 days (interquartile range 2–9). Median follow up was 31 months (interquartile range 23–41 months). The median PRWE score was 3; (range 0–83). There was no difference in outcome in patients who had surgery delayed by greater than 2 weeks (p>0.05). The median time to return to work was 5 weeks (interquartile range 1–8 weeks). There were 15 complications (8 %) including 3 tendon injuries. We have demonstrated an early return to work in patients who were employed, a low complication rate, and highly favourable functional outcomes at a mean of 30 months postoperatively. We recommend the use of the DVR plate and involvement of a dedicated hand and wrist trauma team for treatment of unstable fractures of the distal radius.

Keywords

Distal radius fracture - Locking plate - PRWE - Outcome measure
 

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